When young lawyer, Scarlett Heath agrees to take on a Business Acquisition case for the company headed by Gregory Ryans, she isn’t expecting to feel powerfully attracted to the brooding billionaire.

Thus begins this steamy, romantic story. I thought the characters of Scarlet and Gregory were very intriguing. It was easy to get caught up in their whirlwind romance.

Beyond romance, this book is also a thriller. I’m not entirely certain that the book needed the dramatic element the thriller aspect introduced, but I still thought that it was well done.

This is the first book in the series and I will definitely be reading the second book to see what comes next for Scarlett and Gregory.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

oh hello to an excited read that kept you on your toes and fully absorbed throughout.
this was a gripping read with characters we are certainly gripped to.
this book had all those deep and heart tugging moments. this books get you and wraps itself around your mind and time.
in this book both characters are being set out for us. we are getting to know them whilst also seeing how they do or might fit together. and straight away we are being pulled in directions of will they wont they or even should they shouldn't they. im on Scarlett's side from the off and so was a bit side eye of a few things towards Gregory but then had to put my morally grey areas cynicism aside and just enjoy the book for what i was was.
and there is more to come from them in the next story so i feel my emotions will be pulled and feelings changed even more so. especially as i'm already involved and caring about whats going to happen. and thats when i know i like a book. when i care about people and outcomes.
i really enjoyed the pairs interactions. the bond that is instant but also the one that is clearly growing. the deep and surface level of these pair is a joy to witness.
the involvement of the others in both the pairs life is also fab and totally adds to the brilliant way this book held my heart.
a great book and im so excited for their to be more. bring it now because i am not ok with the feelings this left me with and how i need to know more like NOW. how dare it leave it like it did. i dont like caring so much about a set of characters lol. not when im left not knowing...

*I want to start by thanking the author and publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced release copy of this book. Wow🌶️🌶️

⭐️ ‘You’re not the only one under a spell, Mr Ryans.’ I am 100 per cent besotted with this man. ⭐️


I have to admit. This did start off quite slow for me, but once I got into it, the pace picked up and held my attention.

I would’ve liked to have had more chapters of Gregory’s POV but this doesn’t take away from the story, in fact it adds more mystery to Mr Gregory Ryans. Like why is he so evasive? Why is he not being completely honest?

I liked Scarlett, she is a smart woman, who stands up to Gregory. I think her being a lawyer gives her that edge.

I always love meeting the side characters, it took a little longer for it to explain who Sandy was in the story, which again for me, I like knowing who is who!

That cliffhanger though. Nah. I need the next books already!

Scarlett is a lawyer and is called upon to represent a billionaire CEO. But little does she know that the smart and sexy Gregory Ryans life behind the money will lead to danger and a ruthless act of revenge.

Carter gives us an exciting and thrilling romance, with a narrative filled with danger and spice.

I love how the main male character, Gregory, is described, showing his past and how he has walls up to protect himself, while Scarlett is a badass lawyer, but showing her human side and her vulnerability in his life.

This was a really quick read, that I couldn't get enough out and I look forward to the next instalment.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Ruthless Love. This is the first book in Laura Carter’s Billionaires of London series. I say series because I’m unsure whether this will be a duet or trilogy, or perhaps there will be more than three books published. This novel, however, is Scarlett and Gregory’s story, and it is to be continued into the next book at least.

Told through Scarlett’s POV with a nicely timed chapter from Gregory, Ruthless Love is a suspenseful story. I became quickly hooked and my attention was held throughout. The closing scenes and chapters of this narrative definitely had my heart racing. I love Scarlett’s personality. I handed over my heart to Gregory who is a perfect example of an alpha male. The interactions between the couple are fabulous to witness. They have chemistry. I love this storyline too.

I’m hoping that Scarlett and Gregory’s close circle have their own stories told at some point. I absolutely loved meeting Jackson, Amanda, Sandy and Williams. They each add to the story perfectly, and I would love to know their thoughts and feelings regarding everything that we have learned in this book, and discover what happens next for them all too.

If you enjoy spicy, billionaire romance stories then this book is for you. Plus, for those who love a cliffhanger…. this is a cracking one!! I’m desperate to know what happens next!!

It’s Giving a Sexier Christian Grey (Yes, I Said It)

I wasn’t ready for this book to wreck me the way it did. Ruthless Love isn’t just your typical billionaire romance it’s darker, grittier, and way steamier than I expected. Like… Christian Grey who? Gregory Ryans walked into the room and made Mr. Fifty Shades look like a training manual.

This book is addictive. Obsession, revenge, and passion twist together into a delicious slow burn that eventually explodes. Scarlett is smart, grounded, and just unhinged enough to jump headfirst into Gregory’s morally grey world and I was right there with her, screaming “Girl, SAME.”

It’s got it all: office tension, enemies with power plays, secrets, and that one moment you know you shouldn’t root for him… but you do anyway. I thought I was here for a good time, not to get emotionally unhinged over a billionaire with a tragic backstory and a god-tier kiss.

Hot, addictive, dangerous, and delicious. If this is just book one, I fear for my sanity with the rest of the series.

I was really hoping to love Ruthless Love. The setup had everything I usually go for : intense emotions, dark romance vibes, and a possessive billionaire dynamic. And while it checked those boxes on the surface, the story just did not come together for me.

There are definitely steamy scenes, and the tension is high throughout, but the pacing felt uneven. Some plot twists were hard to follow, and a few moments leaned more into the dramatic than the believable. I do not mind drama when it serves the story, but here it often felt like too much too fast.

Scarlett and Gregory had potential as a couple, but their connection did not fully land. Some scenes between them worked, but others felt stiff or unnatural, and I found myself not fully invested in whether or not they would make it.

By the time I reached the cliffhanger, I was more frustrated than curious about what happens next. I can handle an open ending if it makes me want book 2, but that was not the case here.

Still, I think readers who love fast-paced, steamy romances with high emotional stakes might enjoy this more than I did. It just was not quite what I was looking for.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review 🤍

Ruthless Love had its moments, but it was a bumpy ride for me. I liked the idea of a dark, intense billionaire romance, and while it did deliver on the drama and obsession, the execution just wasn't there.

Scarlett and Gregory's relationship starts off intriguing, but their chemistry felt forced. Some scenes were super hot, while others felt more awkward.. I wanted to root for them, but their connection didn’t always feel believable.

There’s plenty of tension. There are family secrets, tragedy, a power imbalance, but some of the plot twists were hard to follow or felt over the top. I can't stand a cliffhanger, but I can deal if it leaves me desperate for book two. This one just left me frustrated.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC Read. This is my honest review.

That said, fans of steamy, high drama romances might enjoy it more than I did. Personally, it wasn’t a total miss, but I don’t see myself continuing the series.

Tropes include: <i>Protective Hero, Billionaire, “Workplace” Romance, Morally Grey</i>

This wasn’t my favorite take on the above tropes. I struggled, but I powered through and finished, though this probably should’ve been a dnf for me.

I usually go into detail about what I liked and didn’t, but I’m honestly just ready to move on, so I’ll keep it short:

The plot was all over the place.
I felt like our MCs had zero chemistry.
Some of the spice felt cringey.
Too much fluff and filler.
So much telling, not enough showing.

Can’t say I’m gonna continue the series. I don’t feel invested and I never really did feel connected to the characters. Not for me 🤷‍♀️


The Basics:
Billionaire CEO // Lawyer ⚖️
1st Person POV
1st book in the “Billionaires of London” series
Cliffhanger 🧗‍♂️
CW: murder, violence
🌶️🌶️/5
⭐️⭐️/5


Thank you to NetGalley & Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review 🤍

This was my first read from this author, and I absolutely loved it—a very addictive story. Scarlett is a lawyer who loves her job, while Gregory owns his own company and seeks Scarlett's firm's help in taking over another company he desires. The attraction between them is immediate, but things are not as straightforward as they seem. This book has everything—a bit of mystery, danger, and an ending that leaves you on a cliffhanger. I enjoyed it so much and can’t wait for book two!

Wow! I just finished reading this and I’m shook. It does end on a cliffhanger- I usually don’t like those but this makes me want to read the next book to find out what happens.

There’s a lot that happens in this book. Even before we hit 50%, a huge amount of plot gets revealed. It left me thinking, what more could possibly happen and my, I wasn’t prepared!

What did I like about the book?

I loved the characters and how meaty they were. It’s a trope we’ve seen before - morally grey grumpy mmc & fmc who lives by the rules. However, we got to see what makes them tick, their childhood traumas and how it affects them today in both the literal & figurative sense.
The tension in the book was utterly delicious. Not just the sexual tension between the 2 main characters but also the plot.

I felt a lot of things reading this book, it really put me through it. I was able to relate to Scarlett and her feelings around the changes in her life.

I love love so I’m hoping Gregory & Scarlett overcome their demons so they can have their HEA.

If you are a fan of dark romance novels with delectable tension & a great plot, the Ruthless Love is for you!

Title: Ruthless Love
Author: Laura Carter
Series: Billionaires of London #1

What to expect:
*Morally gray MMC
*Grief / Loss
*Billionaire romance

A workplace romance between Scarlett, a lawyer, and Gregory, a CEO billionaire. What started out as just business soon turns into so much more!

Pros:
I love a billionaire workplace romance! I love a FMC that knows her worth and doesn’t immediately fall all over herself to please said billionaire.

Cons:
Cliffhanger ending, I hate cliffhanger endings. The family drama was a little over the top at a few places in the story.

Safety:
Does include the death of a family member. Also includes child abuse told through memories. No real OW/OM drama, some slight jealousy but no cheating. No third act breakup.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review this title.

Format: NetGalley ebook
Genre: Contemporary fiction, Romance
Overall score:⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level:🌶️🌶️🌶️
Characters: Scarlett (FMC) & Gregory (MMC)

ARC provided in exchange for honest review.

Scarlett Heath is a Mergers and Acquisitions lawyer in London, who lives with her Dad, sadly suffering from Alzheimer's, and their live in assistant, Sandy. She is hired for a job by the enigmatic billionaire CEO, Gregory Ryans, and despite her professionalism, sparks fly. But the takeover deal she's in charge of sealing is darker than it seems, and danger stalks them at every turn.

Scarlett is a determined, driven FMC who has the weight of the world on her shoulders - balancing her flying career with her father's declining health, and dealing with a predator boss. If you're a reader of billionaire romance, you'll know that Gregory Ryans is the epitome of that genre's MMC - sexy, brooding, possessive, detached - yet incredibly loving and generous when it comes to Scarlett. This is a fast paced thriller of a novel, and the suspense is built up brilliantly - even during the tender moments, you know that danger is never far away. The ending could not have come at a worse time - absolute jaw drop moment! It's set up book two very nicely, and I'm absolutely desperate to know the outcome! (The teaser chapter doesn't help at all haha!) This is a great billionaire x dark romance hybrid, with heart and humour to lighten it up a little, I really enjoyed it.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to review this book

I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me the privilege of being able to read this book, I truly appreciate it!

That ending! Oh my gosh talk about cliff hanger! I've gotten so wrapped up lately in new book series, where the characters stories are all told in one book and the next is the side characters story, that my mouth dropped when I realized that wasn't happening here So now I'm stuck because I need more! The one chapter at the end from the next book of Gregory and Scarlett's story wasn't enough, I need the second book! I have to know what happens next! If you can tell I really loved this book!

As of right now for the first book in this series, there are a couple of dark moments, and the spice is spicy, but I wouldn't yet call this a book belonging to the dark romance category. A billionaire romance with darkness sprinkled in? Yes. This isn't graphic and gory, or totally twisted, yes there's a twisted man in this book but he's not our MMC like most dark romances. As long as you can handle spice, so far this would be a very good beginner step in towards darker romance stories. That tragedy that's spoken of, well slightly predictable, will completely break your heart.

I absolutely loved the book and all of the characters I did have some issues with them though. Gregory is supposedly in what you read absolutely addicted to Scarlett, to the point of even declaring Scarlett's body his and making her say so, towards the end he's played off as being someone who just plays around, far, but he's still seems completely enthralled with Scarlett. He protects her, and he doesn't want her to get hurt, or to even leave him. But he can't say whether she truly means enough to actually call her his girlfriend despite saying he wouldn't mind at the beginning or be able to tell her whether he really wants her or not. That's rather confusing and it hurt a little with the abrupt change. If these parts were interchanged moved to the beginning rather then to the end I think they would be less abrupt and work a little better. With Scarlett she loves her dad and he means so much to her, but sometimes it seems to only be used as a crutch for the story rather than being something genuine. Despite all of that I did really love them together, and how his friends and hers really intermingled and I really loved the story and where it's going. I honestly can't wait for the next book because I really loved this one and I need to see what happens next!

Thank you so very much again from the bottom of my heart for allowing me the privilege of being able to read this book. I truly loved it!

The unexpected twists and turns throughout this book had me hooked!
Here’s me going into this book thinking it’ll be a steamy workplace romance - I was wrong - it’s to much deeper and complex, there are layers to these characters that are beyond what I expected.

Scarlett and Gregory’s relationship is a little forbidden, he’s a client working with her law firm and Scarlett is his legal advisor, sparks fly at their first meeting and it’s safe to say Gregory is a man obsessed.

There’s lots of family drama building tension throughout, there’s a midway breakup that is tough to get through emotionally, but they find their way back to each other.

The ended is a shocker!!! Why would you do that to us Laura?! Why?!! It’s safe to say I’m invested and I *NEED* book two now please?

I cannot wait to see what happens next to Scarlett and Gregory, and I’m equally invested in William’s and Amanda, and Sandy and Jackson’s relationships too!

I was disappointed that I didn't like this book.
The writing was tediously detailed in some moments, but the plot would jump from event to event, which was confusing and unpleasant to read. Also, the romance was very insta-love, which I dislike. Sadly, I did not enjoy reading this because many aspects of the book felt rushed or inconsistent to me.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing me with a free e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

If spicy, Billionaire romance novels are your go to trope, then this book is for you. This was so good. I couldn't put it down and kept reading until the end. The story was easy to follow and the main character's chemistry was off the charts. Overall, a brilliant and enjoyable read that I highly recommend to other readers. I look forward to reading more by the author.
❤️ Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood books and the author, Laura Carter for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

A billionaire romance with a morally grey male? Obsessed. I devoured this book in a day and couldn’t put it down! I loved how successful Scarlett was and the fact she didn’t need to rely on anyone. Her relationships with the people in her life were so nice and she was very relatable. Walk in Gregory. Mr billionaire morally grey hotness. His and Scarlett’s relationship was so good and they fit each other so well and their scenes were HOT (IYKYK). I hadn’t expected so much to happen in this book but boy was it a wild ride! I loved every single side character. And Gregory doing what he can to protect Scarlett though she found it overbearing at times I was in awe of him (probably wouldn’t be if it was me he was doing it to 🤣) And to end on a cliff hanger like that. Laura I don’t think I can forgive you. I need book 2 like now.

i had no idea what to expect from this, but i really enjoyed it!

i went into this expecting a typical billionaire romance, but i was surprised by some of the darker elements to the story. i think it added some depth to both characters and created a sort of tension that kept me on my toes throughout the story! i wish we got a little bit more of our FMC being badass at her job, but i understand other necessary plot developments come first.

i was also really surprised by the cliffhanger! i did not foresee this as a series at all, i feel like the plot could have been wrapped up in this book but of course i'm not privvy to what the author has planned. i'll be interested to read the next book and see what all gets introduced to keep the story going for another few hundred pages!

4/5 stars :)