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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
I didn't realize this book had so much smut until I started reading. And listen, I ain't got anything against smut, you do you, have your fun, but I don't enjoy reading it. So I had to DNF the book because I knew I'd just drag reading it. So I'm giving it 3 stars because it wouldn't be fair to give less than that, but I did not enjoy the little I read, so... yeah.
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed this dark, southern gothic retelling of Wuthering Heights with a supernatural twist. It was deeply addictive in the best way and I was glued to the pages from start to finish.
Shunned by her town and the Church, Cathy Earnshaw has spent the better part of her life trying to avoid the townspeople's notice because she was born with a gift most don’t understand. Cathy is wild, and vulnerable constantly fighting a battle over her body and her fate. She is trapped and alone, living with an abusive father. Then along comes Heathcliff, brash, handsome and completely wrong for her. They have so much tension and just can’t stay away from each other. Their chemistry is intense and incredibly sexy. You just can’t help cheering for them. Their meeting initiates a chain of events that wipes away the thinly veiled hold they had on their lives and sets them on a collision course for disaster.
Kenney is able to bring the small town setting to life. There is a constant feeling of something dark lurking just beneath the town and its people. I really enjoyed the author's exploration of family, trauma and religious fervor.
I loved how deep and mysterious the lore was. It was such an interesting take on Irish mythology. Ruthless Devotion is an action packed, emotionally charged supernatural thriller alongside a huge dose of magic and romance. With a fast paced compelling plot you will not be able to put this one down. This is an interconnected standalone, and I have not read the first two books, but it had no bearing on my experience with this book.
dark
tense
slow-paced
Thank you netgally and Rebecca for providing me with this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
I should start with saying that this is my first book from Rebecca Kenney. I didn't read the other books on this series. You can read it without reading the other books but I think you'll miss some of the world building.
This is a instant connection love story which isn't really my thing. I took me awhile to see the a connection between Cathy and Heathcliff. Overall the begining and middle part of the book where a bit slow for me. That's probably because I didn't read the other two books and missed part of the fantasy world and that I don't really like instant love. However the end of the book was really good. I couldn't put the book down. The action was good as well as how the story came together. It was really well done.
I would recommend this book to people who like instant love, spice and forbidden love with a gothic fantasy setting.
I should start with saying that this is my first book from Rebecca Kenney. I didn't read the other books on this series. You can read it without reading the other books but I think you'll miss some of the world building.
This is a instant connection love story which isn't really my thing. I took me awhile to see the a connection between Cathy and Heathcliff. Overall the begining and middle part of the book where a bit slow for me. That's probably because I didn't read the other two books and missed part of the fantasy world and that I don't really like instant love. However the end of the book was really good. I couldn't put the book down. The action was good as well as how the story came together. It was really well done.
I would recommend this book to people who like instant love, spice and forbidden love with a gothic fantasy setting.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.5
Immediately yes!!! I was all here for this one and couldn't wait to dive in considering I loved her last book!
While the angst wasnt really there this time around, the story, the passion, the touch her and die, the protectiveness of our hero was all I needed to be happy with this one.
I'm really enjoying these modern day retellings. The southern Gothic vibes which is great with fall coming soon is definitely my vibe. There was alot of action in here which would keep your jaw slacked, some sexy scenes, and even seen past characters make an appearance and play a vital role in the ending of this story.
I still need to go back and read the first book (look the hold at the library is long, I'm still waiting) but I'm excited to eventually get to it and see the other couples story. I can't wait to see what comes next from Rebecca.
Immediately yes!!! I was all here for this one and couldn't wait to dive in considering I loved her last book!
While the angst wasnt really there this time around, the story, the passion, the touch her and die, the protectiveness of our hero was all I needed to be happy with this one.
I'm really enjoying these modern day retellings. The southern Gothic vibes which is great with fall coming soon is definitely my vibe. There was alot of action in here which would keep your jaw slacked, some sexy scenes, and even seen past characters make an appearance and play a vital role in the ending of this story.
I still need to go back and read the first book (look the hold at the library is long, I'm still waiting) but I'm excited to eventually get to it and see the other couples story. I can't wait to see what comes next from Rebecca.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book started off strong with a fast pace that immediately pulled me in. I really appreciated how quickly things got moving. That said, the middle started to lose some momentum, and I found the plot a bit lacking.
I was definitely interested in Cathy and Heathcliff’s relationship, but I wanted more development and context between them—it felt like there wasn’t quite enough backstory to understand their dynamic fully. I also didn’t realize this was the third book in a series, which left me feeling like I was missing key details about some of the other characters. Even with that in mind, I think a bit more world-building would have helped, especially given the modern-day monster setting.
Still, I really liked Heathcliff as a character and would have loved to learn more about his childhood and backstory. And the spice? Very well done.
3/5 Stars
I was definitely interested in Cathy and Heathcliff’s relationship, but I wanted more development and context between them—it felt like there wasn’t quite enough backstory to understand their dynamic fully. I also didn’t realize this was the third book in a series, which left me feeling like I was missing key details about some of the other characters. Even with that in mind, I think a bit more world-building would have helped, especially given the modern-day monster setting.
Still, I really liked Heathcliff as a character and would have loved to learn more about his childhood and backstory. And the spice? Very well done.
3/5 Stars
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
"...his soul and mine were cut from the same shimmering fabric, hewn from the same rock, dipped from the same pool. Where we souls come from, we share the same source. I am Heathcliff, and he is me. Anger and arguments, terror and tragedy, chaos and pain — none of that will change what we are to each other."
With Ruthless Devotion Rebecca Kenney ups the dark Southern Gothic vibes of the Gilded Monsters series. Horrific monsters of myth are deftly woven together with cultist communities, tortured souls and desperate romance to create a captivating tale. Definitely my new favorite story from Rebecca Kenney. 🖤
With Ruthless Devotion Rebecca Kenney ups the dark Southern Gothic vibes of the Gilded Monsters series. Horrific monsters of myth are deftly woven together with cultist communities, tortured souls and desperate romance to create a captivating tale. Definitely my new favorite story from Rebecca Kenney. 🖤
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I forgot how much I love retelling stories. This one just hit everything I was looking for and more! This is a dark, intense romance that pulls you in immediately. It has so much great tension, emotional depth, and characters. Rebecca has such a great way with writing that really sucks you in from the first page. There were a few times where the pacing slowed down in certain spots but overall this story and all the twists kept me me so engaged and wanting to see what would happen next. I couldn’t put this book down once I started. This was easily a 3.5 (rounded up to 4 star) star read for me.
Thank you NetGalley for this eARC!
Thank you NetGalley for this eARC!
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!
I'm sad to say that I really was not a fan of this book. The concept was great, the setting compelling, but that's about where the good parts end.
The chemistry between the two main characters was non-existent. Also, the whole "I need sex to drown out death" in the second chapter? Where's the tension?
I feel like there was so much info dumping trying to disguise itself as dialogue, as well. Whole monologues that felt so unnatural and inappropriate for the situations.
There were a few instances where the sentence structure didn't make sense, or the author named one character while meaning another.
Overall, I forced my way through a book that should have taken a day to read, when in reality it took me about a week.
I'm sad to say that I really was not a fan of this book. The concept was great, the setting compelling, but that's about where the good parts end.
The chemistry between the two main characters was non-existent. Also, the whole "I need sex to drown out death" in the second chapter? Where's the tension?
I feel like there was so much info dumping trying to disguise itself as dialogue, as well. Whole monologues that felt so unnatural and inappropriate for the situations.
There were a few instances where the sentence structure didn't make sense, or the author named one character while meaning another.
Overall, I forced my way through a book that should have taken a day to read, when in reality it took me about a week.