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natcrx 's review for:
Ruthless Creatures
by J.T. Geissinger
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
If you’re craving a dark, intense mafia romance with a possessive anti-hero and some seriously steamy scenes, Ruthless Creatures absolutely delivers. The chemistry between Kage and Natalie is magnetic from the start—he’s obsessive and over-the-top, but what makes the dynamic work is how Natalie challenges him, reacting with genuine discomfort before slowly warming to him. Watching him adjust and listen to her creates an unexpectedly thoughtful layer to what could’ve been a one-note dynamic.
That said, the pacing of their relationship is undeniably fast. They fall into a deep, almost all-consuming obsession within weeks, and while the chemistry is there, the emotional build-up feels underdeveloped. I would’ve loved more dialogue, banter (which Geissinger usually excels at), and internal tension to make their connection feel earned. The story could have benefited from a stronger plot or deeper stakes—beyond the sexual tension, not a lot happens, and some of the emotional and romantic beats are glossed over in favor of kink negotiation and physical encounters.
As for the spice: there's a lot of it. Normally, that would be a win, but the scenes, while inventive, began to feel repetitive without the emotional depth or narrative variation to support them. For a book with such a strong premise, the lack of balance between intimacy and character development was noticeable. It’s sexy—but it’s not quite my kind of sexy.
Where this book truly shines is the audiobook performance. Troy Duran nails Kage’s dark, dangerous charisma; Brooke Daniels gives Natalie a grounded vulnerability; and Michelle Sparks adds richness to the narration. Their performances elevate the entire experience and bring life to a story that occasionally falters on the page.
Overall, it’s an indulgent, steamy listen with high heat and moody vibes, even if the plot doesn’t quite match the passion. Four stars for the story—five for the narration.
That said, the pacing of their relationship is undeniably fast. They fall into a deep, almost all-consuming obsession within weeks, and while the chemistry is there, the emotional build-up feels underdeveloped. I would’ve loved more dialogue, banter (which Geissinger usually excels at), and internal tension to make their connection feel earned. The story could have benefited from a stronger plot or deeper stakes—beyond the sexual tension, not a lot happens, and some of the emotional and romantic beats are glossed over in favor of kink negotiation and physical encounters.
As for the spice: there's a lot of it. Normally, that would be a win, but the scenes, while inventive, began to feel repetitive without the emotional depth or narrative variation to support them. For a book with such a strong premise, the lack of balance between intimacy and character development was noticeable. It’s sexy—but it’s not quite my kind of sexy.
Where this book truly shines is the audiobook performance. Troy Duran nails Kage’s dark, dangerous charisma; Brooke Daniels gives Natalie a grounded vulnerability; and Michelle Sparks adds richness to the narration. Their performances elevate the entire experience and bring life to a story that occasionally falters on the page.
Overall, it’s an indulgent, steamy listen with high heat and moody vibes, even if the plot doesn’t quite match the passion. Four stars for the story—five for the narration.