Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.

Having read the first book in this series, I had high expectations with this book. I wasn’t disappointed - I thought this book was a thrilling and exciting read. I read it in just over a day, and found it hard to put down. The book grabbed and held my attention from beginning to end, and was very well written. I loved the twists in the story, most of which I didn’t expect. Would definitely recommend this book and hoping there will be a third one.

Fantastic follow up to The Boss. Caz Finlay has written another gritty, gangland novel that will have you gripped from the first page.

Grace Sumner is out of the game! After the death of her ex husband Nathan Conlon she no longer wants to run the streets of Liverpool. Instead her and daughter Belle are living a life of tranquility in Harewood. That is until she hears the news that her son Jake is beginning to make a lot of enemies on the way to the top. With his life in danger, Grace has no choice but to return to Liverpool... but this time she has a secret.

Back in the Game is a brilliant sequel written with the same intensity as The Boss. Caz Finlay truly grips you with plenty of twists and turns. Loyalties are tested, secrets are unravelled and no one is safe! As much as Grace is trying to return to Harewood, her status in Liverpool is about to show her enemies who really is the boss. Get ready for one hell of a ride!

I can’t wait for the next instalment. Thanks to One More Chapter and NetGalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely enjoyed reading 'Back in the Game'. It gripped me from start to finish and one can always tell when i am gripped, as i can sail through a whole book in little over a day. I've always enjoyed gangster books and have read many by Martina Cole and Roberta Kray. Caz Finlay in my view, is just as good!

I loved the character of Grace. She is a very devoted mother and so much so, she is there to help her son by leaving her home in Leeds where she was trying to lead a normal life, to go back to Liverpool. Such a strong character when she needs to be.

This is the second book that i have read by Caz Finlay, the first being 'The Boss'. Another excellent book! I can highly recommend and am looking forward to reading more books by this author.

My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for my copy. This is my honest review, which i have voluntarily given.

*I am awaiting Amazon to post my feedback*

Back in the Game is the second instalment of Gangland Grit Lit in the Bad Blood series and this time the author takes the danger level up a notch. Grace Sumner decides to up sticks with her eight-month-old daughter, Belle, and move for a quieter life to the sleepy village of Harewood, Leeds, leaving behind a city she has both bad and good memories of and her son Jake who is currently managing his fathers night club business - The Blue Rooms - since Nathan's passing. Soon her peace is shattered as she gets word that Jake is being harassed by local gangsters and she feels she has no choice but to move back and sort it out. What scares her more is her sources suggested Jake appears to have made enemies in the gangland underworld since she left eighteen months ago. But Grace has a huge secret she is not ready to reveal to anyone so she must be careful not to let her wider family see Belle no matter the cost. Little does she know that other family members also have some skeletons in their closet...

This is a captivating and addicting read from the start with plenty of exciting developments and a real sense of danger which creates a palpably tense atmosphere. It isn't necessary to have read the first book before diving into this but it is preferable as it is character-based so you get the best from it if you've already read the first book, The Boss. It's a violent, action-packed and rather gruesome read at times with a tonne of grit to the storyline and a cast of characters who are engaging and interesting. Well written with drama aplenty, twists that knock you sideways and a spectacular conclusion, this is a superb thriller which I can see gaining the author the recognition she deserves. As always with most gangland thrillers, the plot contrasts the tight-knit family and their bonds with the ruthless big crime bosses who are only interested in making money. A cracking, fast-paced crime thriller with secrets galore ready to unravel. Many thanks to One More Chapter for an ARC.

OMG BOOM! 🤜🏻💥🤛🏻 Grace Sumner is back and taking no prisoners in Caz Finlay’s follow up to #TheBoss! A gritty, gangland read that will have you on the edge of your seat, #BackInTheGame is intense and explosive reading! I bloody loved it!

Full review :

Oh hell yeah! We’re back in Liverpool and #BackinTheGame (see what I did there?!) so fasten your seatbelts readers as you are in for one heck of a ride! There’s organised crime, gangland brutality, family, relationships, loyalty questioned, survival, secrets, drugs, revenge, mistrust and a search for the truth plus SO MUCH MORE!

You just know from the opening chapter of this novel that this is no typical thriller – I was excited beyond belief to read on! One of my favourite lines is ‘his mouth was a dry as a nun’s crotch’ – I laughed so much as it fits this genre to a ‘T’ – so if that offends you, this is not the book or series for you! The author mixes her professional experience in the criminal justice system with her creative talent to deliver a story that is sharp, intense and I have to say – unputdownable! I am a HUGE fan and can’t wait to see where she takes us next. The dark underbelly of Liverpool’s gangs are out again when Grace Sumner returns to clean up after swearing she was out of the game. Did she really think it would be that easy? It’s not like moving on from a career like most of us would do – entrenched in the gangland lifestyle is the feeling of family – whether blood or not – and that strong pull to protect no matter what the cost. Caz Finlay NAILS it!

I need to say that Grace Sumner is a favourite character of mine – after handing over everything from that life to her son Michael – she has to return and holy #shitballs, reader – she is someone you do no want to piss off! Intelligent and ruthless, she would eat you up and spit you out in the blink of an eye if you wrong her – no matter who you are. There are quite a few characters in this book, brought back from The Boss, but you can easily read this on its own and the author fills in the character’s history seamlessly.

Would I recommend this read? It’s explosive, gritty and bloody intense – you bet you sweet ass I would! Caz Finlay has delivered another knockout read and I can’t wait for the next in the series – Head of the Firm – coming AUGUST 2020! Woohoo!

Highly Recommended!

This is a gritty, gangland thriller set in Liverpool.
After leaving her life in Liverpool, Grace is now happy with her baby daughter, living in the country.
That is until she receives a call telling her that her son Jake is getting involved in stuff he shouldn’t, and she needs to sort him out.
Grace left Jake running a club and she tried to ensure he didn’t get involved in the life she led but it seems he’s been pulled in.
Once back she realises that Jake is trying to step into his father’s shoes but he’s not managing it well.
Grace has her own secret that must not come out, but she knows it’s only a matter of time.
This is a gripping read with just the right mix of violence and threats for a gangland thriller.
Thanks to Harper Collins UK/One more chapter and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Bad Blood #2

Grace Summer Is happy living in the countryside with her daughter Belle. But Grace gets a phone call telling her that her son, Jake needs her help. So Grace finds herself back in Liverpool and the life she thought she had left behind. Jake needs to toe the line. Grace is taking a secret back with her, one she Hope's no one will find out.

Grace came out of retirement to sort her son and the family business. She calls in the help of the Carters, who we met in the first book, The Boss. 8mwas sucked in from the first page. All the old faces were back along with a few new ones. There's a few sub stories running side by side. With characters you will love, like and despise, you'll find yourself quickly turning the pages, wantingnto find out more and rooting for Grace and her gang. I loved The Boss, thenfirst book in this series, but Back In The Game is even better. How Caz Finlay willmott this book, I don't know. I just hope we don't have too long to wait to find out. I throughly enjoyed this book. I highly recommend this book and series. You won't be disappointed.

I would like to thank NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and the author Caz Finlay for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book didnt disappoint. After only recently reading the boss. I was left waiting for more. Love the story and chatacters. Couldnt put this book down. Cant wait for the next one.

I’d like to thank HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Back In The Game’ by Caz Finlay in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Grace Sumner is no longer happy living a life of crime and has now left Liverpool for peace and quiet with her eight-month-old daughter Belle. Her son Jake is running their family business ‘The Blue Rooms’ since the death of his father Nathan but when Grace is told that Jake is having problems with local gangsters she immediately moves back with Belle to help sort it out. Grace is loathe to let the family see Belle as she doesn’t want the identity of her father to become common knowledge but she isn’t the only one in their family with a secret.

‘Back In The game’ is the second in the ‘Bad Blood’ series and although I haven’t had the pleasure to read the first part it hasn’t detracted from my enjoyment. I became confused at first with all the different characters but gradually I got to know who was who and became really involved in the story. This is a well-written thriller, it’s gritty, gruesome and extremely bloodthirsty, has lots of action, drama and excitement, a number of twists and turns and a tense ending which was a fitting conclusion. I can recommend it.

First time of reading a book written by Caz Finlay but it won't be my last. Thoroughly enjoyed it from the first page to the last. This story is set in Liverpool around the gangland scene and features Grace Sumner returning to help her son Jake and is unputable down!

How good it was to be back with Grace Sumner!

I have something of a soft spot for this genre of book. I love strong willed women and Grace is a brilliant character who is strong but vulnerable at the same time. Having got away from the gangland scene, it doesn’t last for long when she returns to see what sort of a mess her son Jake has got himself into.

The storyline had me on the edge of my seat, literally. I have to admit I’ve never been one for violence and one thing these books tend to have in them is a fair bit of it. Luckily this is an author who gives just enough without going into detail, making those parts easier to read.

It was good to catch up with certain characters as well as getting to know others better. Some made my blood boil and I found myself wanting to scream at Grace to watch her back as doing well for yourself in that sort of industry gets you a lot of enemies. This has unlikable characters in an abundance and I couldn’t wait to see if they got their comeuppance or not.

Back in the Game was a page turning, gut clenching read where my heart was in my mouth more than a few times. When I wasn’t reading the book, all I was doing was thinking about it. I’m hoping there is more to come as I am to addicted to these characters lives as well as the criminal world that they live in, feeding us fear and excitement in equal measure.

Grace is back and she has a secret
She is troubled for her son Jake
She has a vengeance to be back
And she is very loyal to family
I had an ARC

Grace Sumner was the undisputed queen of the Liverpool underworld, until she turned her back on it 18 months ago - but now she’s back!

Her only son Jake has been running the family business back in Liverpool, but when Grace receives a call telling her that Jake is in trouble and the business is going down the pan, she realises that she must return. Even more worrying however, her sources indicate that at the rate that Jake is making enemies, he’s in danger of losing his life altogether, and she concedes that the peaceful life she’s been living in the secluded village of Harewood, in Leeds, together with her baby daughter Belle, will have to end, at least until she’s sorted out business in Liverpool.

Once again Grace is drawn into a world of crime and violence - a world she deliberately withdrew from, but with Jake in over his head, and with old adversaries circling to take control of her old patch, she won’t take this lying down - nobody messes with Grace Sumner!

A gritty and gripping gangland tale, this is a great follow up to The Boss, and Caz Finlay is definitely becoming an author to watch out for.

I was lucky enough to read the first book in this series and thoroughly enjoyed it this follow on is just as good if not better.

After events in the previous book gangster boss Grace Sumner decides to leave the life and Liverpool and retreat to a quieter life in the countryside. Word soon reaches her that her son, Jake has taken up the reigns of the firm and making enemies left right and centres. Grace is forced to head back to Liverpool to sort things out and face old friends she would rather not.

I would highly recommend this book to others and look forward to reading more from this author.

Many thanks to the publishers and netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and Caz Finlay for allowing me to read this Arc.
An absolutely brilliant gangland style read! This is the second by Caz. I haven't read the first book but it wasn't a problem as I got stuck in straight away and followed perfectly. But having read it I am definitely going to get hold of her first one.
There was lots of bloodshed and violence as you would expect but it was so brilliantly done so as not to be off putting. Tears and laughter too which made for a good mix. I would highly recommend it.

I fell into this brilliant book headfirst & stayed there right until the very last sentence.
I hadn't read the previous so wasn't sure how I'd get on. It made no difference & I was able to follow the story perfectly, although I have now bought them. The setting was spot on, characters were likeable or hateable, whichever way you are supposed to feel about them. The story it's self worked really well with lots of sub stories running along side. This author to me is definitely as good as Mandasue, Martina & Kimberley. Congratulations, I'm definitely excited to read some more.

Loved this second installment from caz Finley just as much as the first, was great to follow Grace's story again, hopefully wont be too log until the third.

This is the first novel I have read by Caz Finley and I will be seeking out more, in particular the previous Grace Summer (Bad Blood) novels. I feel I should have read these in order to get the most from this book although I thoroughly enjoyed the read.

Grace has left the Liverpool Gangland behind her, hoping to bring up her daughter away from it all. Then she learns that her oldest son, Jake, has somehow managed to get himself mixed up with this life so she returns to see if she can save him.

Great characters with a mix of family and murders worked well.

Thank you to NetGally, Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and Caz Finlay for my ARC in return for my honest review.

Great read and highly recommended.

This is the second book I have read by that author it was just as good as the first one . I will definitely read more of her books it was a page turner .

5 Stars The Boss is back

After leaving her life previously In Liverpool, Grace is now happy with her daughter Belle living out in the country
That is until she receives a call from an old acquaintance telling her that her son Jake is in trouble and she needs to get back to Liverpool as soon as possible.
Jake is now running his dads, Nathan‘s old club and he's starting to make enemies.
Once back she soon starts to realise that her son is trying to step into his dads shoes but along the way has upset some faces in Liverpool and they want him gone.
Grace knows she’s going to need to call on the Carters to help her sort all this out once and for all.
But Grace has her own secrets that must not come out, but she's also very good at finding other people including well known gangster Bobby White..
I loved everything about her first book The Boss it had exactly what I look for in this gritty thriller gene. So I was really eager to get my hands on a copy of this one and believe me it didn’t disappoint. Fast moving I loved the characters, their secrets and once again the twists that you don't see coming. Graces relationship with Michael Carter was great. I'm looking forward to her next book which is going to tell us more about that Carter family.

Considering this is only her second book Caz Finlay is going places ….