Member Reviews
This is my second book from this author and I loved it!I really don’t want to say too much on this story because every little thing is like a spoiler.So I'm just going to say how much I was speechless with the story line and these characters!If you love Mafia romances with a fearless heroine and a story that will keep you on the edge this is perfect for you!!
Loved it! I didn't think I would be able to get into the spin off with the kids, but it was just as good!
The next generation of Callahans.....Ethan and his twin siblings, Donatella and Wyatt. These kids, now adults, have had a rough upbringing in that they were the children of Melody Giovanni and Liam Callahan. Two crime bosses that merged the Italians and the Irish. And not to spoil for those who haven't read The Ruthless People series, the kids had to learn to be ruthless at an early age.
Ethan, now 28 and the Ceann na Conairte of the family, has lots to deal with, especially his siblings and his new wife, Ivy O'Davoren. She has been in prison for 7 years and she's a little on the wild and crazy side. Just enough to deal with the Callahan family and her family too.
Ethan and Ivy were quite a couple. They both gave endured hardships and while the way the got together was unconventional......it seemed like a match made in heaven. "The Belladonna and the Mani di forbice!" The beautiful poison and the duel blades. I really liked the time spent cultivating their relationship. Dealing with her family solidified their bond and created a strength that Ethan didn't know he was missing.
The dynamics of the family with Ethan in charge was quite tumultuous. Ethan had to deal with his brother who left Chicago and his sister who had ideas of her own about what she wanted. What was sorely missing was the essence of how "Family" deals with one another. I blame their parents for the discord that these three kids experience.
The ending was unexpected and expected. It made my heart ache that the three siblings didn't embrace one another. I can only hope that eventually the three of them come together and embrace the meaning of a true "familia". I do believe that the hardship and heartache will only escalate but I have faith that the author will being Ethan, Dona and Wyatt full circle . Looking forward to the next book and seeing how Donatella story plays out.
4.5 stars
‘The Belladonna and the Mani di forbice.’
‘The beautiful poison and the duel blades.’
We’ve read every single JJ McAvoy book, and bar one, we’ve loved and fallen in love with every single one. Her stories are compelling and an indulgence we love to partake in. This is a spin-off of the Ruthless People series featuring the children of Liam and Melody Callahan. Whilst this series can be read on it’s own, we highly recommend reading the Ruthless People Series, as not only is it one of our all-time favourite mafia/mobster series, you’ll also get much more out of this series.
‘To repent they must be sorry. To be sorry they must feel pain. So let there be pain.’
Without question, this Author excels at writing intensely intriguing and downright exciting mobster stories. She’s one of our all-time favourites. The Children of Vice series features the stories of adult siblings- Ethan, Donatella and Wyatt Callahan.
‘Fury. Wrath. Rage. Death. Ethan, at this very moment, was all of those things, personified in silence.’
This first book is Ethan Callahan’s story- the oldest brother. Now, if you’ve read Ruthless People you know what kind of childhood this boy had and as the head of the family you know the shoes he has to fill. If not, the Author does a good job of catching the reader up. If you know us, you know we absolutely love our anti-heroes and they don’t come much more anti than this man. He is a power of reckoning, meticulous in his revenge and powerful in his planning. Nothing fazes him. You could say he is as cold as ice with no second thought to when and how as long as it plays out in favour and as he planned it, using other lives as collateral or weapons with an almost domino effect. He is incredible- he is cold in his ruthlessness. The pressure and weight on his shoulders is immense and he knows no other way nor a different life.
‘Ivy O’Davoren was mine, and now the whole world would know.’
Who in their possible right mind could be with a man like Ethan or possibly live up to the role as wife of the ultimate mastermind, the puppet master: Mani di forbice? Well, we couldn’t imagine, yet there she was; Ivy O’Davoren – the belladonna. This woman is fierce, wronged, cold and accepting of the fates. Their story was on the edge of your seat reading. Every so often our jaws dropped as the plot unfolded. Surprising twists and secrets revealed. Over the top? Absolutely! However, there is no question that sometimes over the top works as it satisfies a craving that needs to be filled.
“…the world isn’t black or white. Sometimes you need to do bad to do good and worse to do even better. The Callahan’s made themselves the worst. The money, the fame, the power was built on blood and bones. Why? Because no one else could do it.”
We couldn’t put this book down for love nor money, it was truly compelling and gripping. JJ McAvoy has such a talent for balancing darkness with humour -in the sense that- something horrific could’ve just happened yet the sarcastic wit and almost dark comedic timing immediately veils the sombre somewhat melancholy mood. Sibling relationships are hard at the best of time, however, if you’re siblings at the top of a mobster dynasty; the spotlight and responsibilities heightens and results in dire consequence. And so the series continues in the next book which is Donatella’s story and wow…..we are dying to find out what happens next!
“That is the tragedy of women born with the ambitions of men.”
So why not a 5 star? Well, Children of Vice would have been a 5 star for us if not for the editing issues as well as some timeline issues that distracted us from the story at times. We have mentioned the editing issue before which seem to have continually plagued this Author since book one. We do hope she finds a good one that can sort this continuing problem out for her because her brilliant stories deserve no less.
“They said the Callahan’s are greedy and selfish, power hungry thugs who don’t care about their own people anymore.”
“They’re right.”
4.5 stars
‘The Belladonna and the Mani di forbice.’
‘The beautiful poison and the duel blades.’
We’ve read every single JJ McAvoy book, and bar one, we’ve loved and fallen in love with every single one. Her stories are compelling and an indulgence we love to partake in. This is a spin-off of the Ruthless People series featuring the children of Liam and Melody Callahan. Whilst this series can be read on it’s own, we highly recommend reading the Ruthless People Series, as not only is it one of our all-time favourite mafia/mobster series, you’ll also get much more out of this series.
‘To repent they must be sorry. To be sorry they must feel pain. So let there be pain.’
Without question, this Author excels at writing intensely intriguing and downright exciting mobster stories. She’s one of our all-time favourites. The Children of Vice series features the stories of adult siblings- Ethan, Donatella and Wyatt Callahan.
‘Fury. Wrath. Rage. Death. Ethan, at this very moment, was all of those things, personified in silence.’
This first book is Ethan Callahan’s story- the oldest brother. Now, if you’ve read Ruthless People you know what kind of childhood this boy had and as the head of the family you know the shoes he has to fill. If not, the Author does a good job of catching the reader up. If you know us, you know we absolutely love our anti-heroes and they don’t come much more anti than this man. He is a power of reckoning, meticulous in his revenge and powerful in his planning. Nothing fazes him. You could say he is as cold as ice with no second thought to when and how as long as it plays out in favour and as he planned it, using other lives as collateral or weapons with an almost domino effect. He is incredible- he is cold in his ruthlessness. The pressure and weight on his shoulders is immense and he knows no other way nor a different life.
‘Ivy O’Davoren was mine, and now the whole world would know.’
Who in their possible right mind could be with a man like Ethan or possibly live up to the role as wife of the ultimate mastermind, the puppet master: Mani di forbice? Well, we couldn’t imagine, yet there she was; Ivy O’Davoren – the belladonna. This woman is fierce, wronged, cold and accepting of the fates. Their story was on the edge of your seat reading. Every so often our jaws dropped as the plot unfolded. Surprising twists and secrets revealed. Over the top? Absolutely! However, there is no question that sometimes over the top works as it satisfies a craving that needs to be filled.
“…the world isn’t black or white. Sometimes you need to do bad to do good and worse to do even better. The Callahan’s made themselves the worst. The money, the fame, the power was built on blood and bones. Why? Because no one else could do it.”
We couldn’t put this book down for love nor money, it was truly compelling and gripping. JJ McAvoy has such a talent for balancing darkness with humour -in the sense that- something horrific could’ve just happened yet the sarcastic wit and almost dark comedic timing immediately veils the sombre somewhat melancholy mood. Sibling relationships are hard at the best of time, however, if you’re siblings at the top of a mobster dynasty; the spotlight and responsibilities heightens and results in dire consequence. And so the series continues in the next book which is Donatella’s story and wow…..we are dying to find out what happens next!
“That is the tragedy of women born with the ambitions of men.”
So why not a 5 star? Well, Children of Vice would have been a 5 star for us if not for the editing issues as well as some timeline issues that distracted us from the story at times. We have mentioned the editing issue before which seem to have continually plagued this Author since book one. We do hope she finds a good one that can sort this continuing problem out for her because her brilliant stories deserve no less.
“They said the Callahan’s are greedy and selfish, power hungry thugs who don’t care about their own people anymore.”
“They’re right.”
Ethan was the apple of his mafiosa mother’s eye and the perfect protege of his equally ruthless father. He couldn’t have been more perfectly groomed to step in and take over this dynamic, one of a kind, all powerful la famiglia after they were gone.
A nickname of Poison Ivy kept coming to mind when I thought of Ivy, the out for revenge heroine. If you don’t touch it, it’ll leave you be. But mess with it, even just a little, and you are going to wish you hadn’t. Except, of course, when it came to Ethan. He seemed to be completely immune and gladly let her wrap her kindred spirit around his mafia don heart and soul.
The first 70% of this storyline was pure mafioso perfection. I absolutely loved how the author set up the main couple’s arranged marriage and put this mafia themed romantic tale into motion. I didn’t even mind the occasional deviation to sub-characters, as they obviously are setting the stage for future sequels. It was intermixed seamlessly enough you didn’t feel the main romantic plot was being hijacked. Yeah, Donatella and Wyatt, I’m talking about you. Tobias, (aka Toby), listen up, as well. Here’s to hoping you go for it and set Dona (the power hungry, self-centered prima donna of the family) straight on how things are finally going to be. I have a bad feeling you are going to have to walk away/cut the ties that bind before she opens her eyes and heart to what truly will make her happy.
It is with a heavy, reluctant heart I must confess I had issues with parts of it, mainly just the last 30%. To put it bluntly, I felt that portion could have been scripted better. Too fragmented and not as well-written pretty much sums it up. Hopefully it was just the ARC version I read and the final editing version is different. I also could have done without the too common negatively portrayed Catholic priest scenario at the very beginning. Color me crazy, but that situation just wasn’t realistic on several different levels.
Starting with their private jet pilgrimage to uphold their deal, the characters’ actions and remainder of the book wasn’t quite what I expected. Ivy’s inevitable confrontation with her “dead to me now” relatives felt more like an out of control toddler who was trapped in a grown woman’s body rampage. Despite the blood, graphic violence, and attempts of staging nail biting drama near the end, the scenes felt less cohesive. I.e., how the bizarre very public “time for justice” pow wow played out, the big reveal on how the main couple actually first met and what lead to Ivy’s parents’ demise, Wyatt’s “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” actions (especially near the end), and Ethan letting obvious slights/pranks against him go unpunished, had me thinking, “Say what?” Because, really, why did he let Ivy sit in jail so long if he had such strong feelings for her? Why hasn’t this same question popped in her mind?
What would I have preferred? I envisioned this perfect for each other couple strolling off that lear jet, taking care of business in a single explosive, shoot-out at the OK Corral kind of way. Then nonchalantly, buttoning their power suit coat jackets while blowing the smoke off their still smoldering guns, and unremorsefully reboarding and getting back to business and life in Chicago the very next day. So, yeah, it was quite different from that, mainly more drawn out.
Well, my fellow mafia romance book-loving friends, we’ll truly get to see what kind of mafia made man Ethan really is in the next book. If he truly is anything like his father and mother, things are definitely going to get complicated, messy, and ugly. On that, we can all agree.
Title: Children of Vice, Series: Children of Vice (Book 1), Author: J.J. McAvoy, Pages: 406, part of a spin-off series, the next generation, mafia romance, disturbing graphic mafia violence, no cheating, no love triangle, no OM drama, a jealous OW situation, not for the faint of heart, stand-alone that ends with a to be continued scenario, very graphic smexy scenes, deliberate murder of a pregnant woman.
Book 1 - Children of Vice (Ethan & Ivy)
Book 2 - Children of Ambition (Donatella), releases 2017
Book 3 - Children of Redemption (Wyatt), releases 2018
(I received an advanced reader copy via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. No compensation was provided to me, nor do I have any affiliation with the author/publisher/NetGalley. This review will be posted on Amazon, Goodreads, NetGalley, and Barnes & Noble.)
First off let's talk about this author. JJ McAvoy writes beyond her years. Her voice is something that is missing in this saturated industry. Her characters are deep, and filled with so much richness, I am often rendered speechless. This is a spin off of her amazing Ruthless People series. The Children of Vice is Ethan's story, but really it is the beginning of what I am positive is going to be her best story telling.
I never thought someone could take Melody's place and Ivy is not trying to, but she sure is giving Mel a run for her money. Ivy is smart and cunning, I like her and am excited to see more of her and to see her go up against, someone in the family.
Ethan, he just makes me happy. He takes his position very seriously and I love that! He was born and raised to lead "the family." He is strong but can be brought to his knees when it comes to Ivy. He has tried his entire life to not let anyone have that sort of "power" over him. But when it comes to Ivy, the girl he has loved his entire life, he is weak. That is not good when you are head of the Irish/Italian Mob. Ethan is everything his parents would want in a son and a Ruthless leader.
We get to catch up with most of the Callahan children and see what they are up to . I love that they are still close. We see the Dona and Wyatt are not exactly the people we thought they were. Wyatt is the outcast, choosing to help people by becoming a doctor. But was it really his choice? And Donatella, well she is dealing with "the family" the way she was taught. Always keep an eye on everything and everyone and never miss an opportunity to better one's position. To the very last page Children of Vice is brilliant! I am more than excited to see where Ms. McAvoy takes us in the next two books.
Bravo 5 Stars!
It takes a special mind to write mafia books. Your characters can't just be ruthless, they have to be calculating. They have to be so many steps ahead they're not even in the same place as their adversaries anymore. As I've said before, the Ruthless People series borders on OTT a lot but with this spin-off it seems to be slightly more grounded.
Ethan is the son of the Mad Hatter and Bloody Melody and basically there was no way he was ever going to be anything resembling normal but just like his parents, he has a wonderful public persona. Ethan was raised as the first child of the Italian-Irish alliance and it's nice to see that continued. He was a bit colder than I was expecting but I found myself trusting him and his decisions pretty early on regardless.
Ivy, Ivy, Ivy. In any series where you have to take the place of someone as insane as Melody Nicci Giovanni Callahan, you might think it would be impossible to even try. Instead Ivy is not only a great character, she's the perfect other half for Ethan as well. I found that I really loved her personality and the manner in which she dealt with things. She wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty and she wasn't afraid to let people know what she was thinking. I loved her.
Evelyn is still alive and kicking as are her sons (yes, I said sons) Neal and Declan, the uncles are more background but Evelyn really has a special bond with Ethan that was lovely to see.
We get introduced to Wyatt and Dona to see where they are at this point in their lives. It's certainly...interesting. I cannot wait for their books to see my final thoughts on them (hint: I only currently like one of them).
I didn't like how Liam was seen through the eyes of the kids, given the events of the final book I was under the impression he wouldn't have been a terrible father and yet, he really disappointed me.
The cliffhanger though! I can't see anyway out of it that ends well for all the characters (which is why I'm not an author, let alone a crime/mafia author) but I'm still hoping beyond hope everything works out in a way that doesn't break my heart.
Rating: 5 stars
I am a fan of J.J. McAvoy's Ruthless People series, so when I was given the opportunity to read Children of Vice, I was more than ecstatic! In this novel, we are introduced to an adult Ethan Callahan and his siblings and cousins who were just kids in the Ruthless People series. It was cute and refreshing to learn the paths their lives had taken after the death of Ethan's parents, Liam & Melody Callahan.
Ethan was indeed ruthless! I think he was an equal blend of both his parents and in Children of Vice his biggest problem isn't just the "family's business", but the family. He wants to start his own, but he also is trying to keep him, his brother Wyatt and his sister Donna, a family. In the process, we meet the new queen of the family Ivy, with all kinds of issues and although she is truly a victim of her environment, she is a woman of action. If Ivy can do anything at all to alter her circumstances, no matter the situation, she acts. I mean they do not give her the name "Beautiful Poison" for nothing.
This novel has so much good and bad with the world in it and is a read you will think about for days on end after you've read the last word. These character came to life and you could see their complexities and not so complex moments that seemed so lifelike. I was definitely fascinated by the Callahans before, so Children of Vice just added an additional layer of intrigue.
I digress. I really can't think of any other rating to give this read except 5-stars. I mean sure, there were a few technical issues with a typo here and there...but gosh darn it, this was a good story! I hope J.J. keeps writing subsequent titles in this series and continue to write them with Ethan and Ivy as the main focus with the various viewpoints of the siblings. I don't think I could read an entire book about Dona... that thang! And Wyatt, although I found him interesting, nope not an entire novel about him I could read. Perhaps a novella? Who am I kidding? If she writes them I will read them! Anywho, to the author, keep going like you're going and I will just keep recommending my fellow readers to run and read Children of Vice by you, the one and only, J.J. McAvoy.
4.5 Fantastic Stars!
I loved the Ruthless People series and so of course I couldn't wait to get my hands on the story of the next generation!
Ethan has been groomed almost since birth to take over Bloody Mel and Liam's kingdom. He is arrogant and brilliant and yes...he is ruthless. Ivy is serving time for a crime to protect her family. The family she will soon find out is not worthy of protection.
You have to pay close attention while reading this book or you will easily become lost in the labyrinth that awaits the reader. Twists and turns and betrayals and execution -there is no shortage in this story. I didn't think that the siblings would turn on each other and so I am anxious to read the next one in the series to see if they really did.
The stories of Liam and Mel comprise one of my most favorite series - Ruthless People Series
Then JJ McAvoy gave me Ethan…
This young man has taken his god given right as the Ceann naConairte, after the death of his father, by the balls and has twisted…HARD! He has taken this job and responsibility to heart. He continues to show that
“...(his) family was stupidly rich, dangerously powerful, unspeakably ruthless…”
Ethan didn’t wait to show his muscles. He began his wrath of ruthlessness as early as 11 years old. He takes no shit from anyone, not even his grandmother is immune to his tyranny.
Ethan has the master plan. He is controls everything and everyone. He has his sights set on Ivy, the cousin to the Boston Finnegan’s who are causing him problems. So at all costs, Ethan will win. Even if he has to bring Ivy into his life. (Which may be the best decision he has ever made).
JJ McAvoy has once again enthralled me from page one. How she has woven these characters into adults so seamlessly, she amazes me. She has given us Ivy and Ethan who are ruthless and a “sent from God” couple. (and when they are together, watch out!) They are each other's perfect match. They are strong, determined and vengeful! ← put those together and you are guaranteed a great novel by JJ McAvoy.
I believe that Mel is smiling down at Ethan, seeing the woman he has chosen to stand by his side. She’s such a badass – just like Mel was. I know that Liam is watching his son rule the Callahan Empire as well, if not better than he did.
We see Dona and Wyatt too and they are always up for a good battle. They have all grown and are willing to do whatever needs be done to keep the family in power.
JJ McAvoy once again has written a story in multiple POV’s which is my favorite way to read a book. She has woven these characters from 5 other books and seamlessly added them into the Callahan/Giovanni clan.
I shall sit here, trying to figure out where JJ McAvoy is going to take us next in Dona’s story! I wouldn’t dare try and figure out what she’s thinking but I CAN NOT WAIT!
JJ McAvoy I continue to bow down to your genius ways and your story telling abilities forever surprise and delight me!
I loved the book. It was great. I'm looking forward to the next book. I wish it was a sample of the next book in back. But all in all great book. I loved the characters and the story was so amazing
had the rare privilege to get an Advanced Readers Copy of the long awaited sequel to the 'Ruthless People' series. First let me say that it was OUTSTANDING... we came to love the Callahan/Giovanni family in the first series. I was sadden to read the last book, and was excited to learn that Ms. McAvoy was going to write about the children of Liam and Melody.
'Children of Vice' is the story of Ethan the oldest child of the Callahans, his coming of age, becoming the Ceann na Conairte and the woman he chooses to be by his side.
Ivy O'Davoren is a true bad ass herself and a perfect fit for the head of the Irish and Italian families. Their story is a rocky one but the way the author tells their tale you become immersed in the story. I could not put it down and loved every minute of it.
Ms. McAvoy is a talented story teller and I have highly enjoyed reading her books, she gives the reader a rare glimpse into her characters thoughts and persona. She makes you laugh out loud and cheer them on.
I am anxious to see where she will take the story from here (the ending of this one makes you wonder what is next)
As usual there was a story
behind the story, and that is where
the truth was hidden.
Kenneth Eade
<b><i>OVERALL RATING: 4.5 STARS
HEROINE: 4.5 STARS
HERO: 4.5 STARS
OVERALL STORY: 4
HEAT: 4.5
HEA: <spoiler> of course </spoiler></b></i>
MY FAVORITE SCENE:
"'That's weird.'
'What is?" my aunt Mina questioned.
'I was sure before I left Klarissa bleeding out on the floor before leaving the church. She asked for help, but I left, and smoke was pouring in there. I guess some people really have nine lives." She shrugged, licking marble cake off her spoon. Her eyes lit up and she turned to me. 'This is really good!'
Everyone was silent, trying to process what she'd just casually admitted to.
'You left her bleeding out?' Mr. In-His-Damn-Feelings, asked her.
Ivy looked at him and nodded. 'A piece of the door went into her thigh.' .... 'I don't like her. I'm kinda disappointed. I really wished the big guy had handled that one for me. Is she at least okay?' she asked him, but her tone clearly not giving two shits.
'Both her legs are broken,' Toby replied.
'Well, that's something I guess... are you going to eat your cake?'"</i>
Is it bad that I found Ethan entirely endearing? Despite him brutally murdering people in extremely malicious ways including, not not limited to: mass extermination, gun shots, poison, CUTTING OFF SOMEONE'S BALLS AND STUFFING IT IN THEIR MOUTH, I think you get the picture. In my eyes, McAvoy wrote the "hero", and I say this loosely because we know the lines get blurred with children of Liam and Melody, as an adorable, sweet-hearted man, only really towards Ivy but you get the picture. Despite his ruthlessness that he inherited from his parents, when he fell in love he became soft. It was a stark contrast compared to Melody and Liam who tried to deny falling in love because they viewed love as weak.
TO BEGIN, the story starts with Ethan wanting to find a wife as it is required of him in the family. Unbeknownst to his family, he's already hand-picked his wife and she's so damn similar to Melody it's insane. Although, she's less rational and there's a hint of psychological detachment, almost sociopathic, unlike his mother who killed for survival. Ivy is currently an inmate at a prison for killing a girl in a car accident and has been there for several years. Her last name is important to Ethan as well as her heritage to Boston which Ethan has been trying to win over for years.
I don't want to spoil too much about the storyline of this book because honestly you need to read it first hand. There's so much hint of the previous series but there's an element of originality that separates them from the past. It's refreshing.
GIVE IT A READ. YOU WON'T BE SORRY.
<i>*an ARC was provided by netgalley for an honest review </i>
I LOVE J.J.!!!!! Now that I got that out of the way. I was dying to see where she would take Liam and Melody's kids and I was not disappointed!! Please JJ, hurry with the next installment, I love the Callahan universe!!
"The world isn't black or white. Sometimes you need to do bad to do good and worse to do even better."
I am a huge fan of Mafia Romances, and JJ McAvoy's Ruthless People series is one of my all time favorites. So the moment she announced that the children of the main characters would get their own story, I got so excited. I was counting down the days until I could get my hands on Children of Vice. I had very high expectations and the author didn't disappoint. What I loved most was that the she stayed true to the characters, and that they didn't become a watered down version of themselves. If you have read the Ruthless People series you know that there are some very crazy twists, she continued giving us many more in this book. This makes the story and the actions of the characters very unpredictable, which I loved. I also loved that the author gives us a totally new story with an original plot.
She did an amazing job in fitting everything in one book and making it flow so seamlessly. It was definitely a page turner, I just couldn't get enough of the characters. Ethan found his match with Ivy, their unconventional romance was really thought out. And the more I learned about them the more I loved them. Family plays an important role in this book as well, and I appreciated seeing what the other characters were up to. This book is also about revenge, it was dished out so perfectly. I have no idea how the hell the author comes up with these things. This book has left me wanting MORE (in a good way). I NEED the next book in the series Children of Ambition, I am actually dying to get my hands on it. The ending of this book left me speechless, I should've known that JJ McAvoy would throw another twist at us.
Okay. Wow. Really fantastic!
This was all I expected it to be and more!
Wow. This was a fantastic read!! I literally stayed up all night to read this. You know it's good when you make your Monday morning even more hellish.
What I loved most was that Ethan and Ivy weren't just another Melody and Liam. I worried that McAvoy was just going to give us the same characters just different names. She definitely did not.
Ethan - so ruthless and manipulative. So sexy.
Ivy - crazy, smart, psychopathic genius! Love her.
And that ending?!?!?! WHAT THE BLOODY HELL!! FAMILY FIRST PEOPLE! LOYALTY! WHAT JUST HAPPENED!!
You've got to read this. Even if you somehow lived under a rock and didn't read Melody & Liam's story in Ruthless People YOU SHOULD READ THIS.