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Gold Hill #2
The Counterpart
From the GGLS Award-winning author of Ribbonwood and Falls From Grace
Eloise Silver is an actor in need of a big break. Now in her mid-thirties, her biggest credits to date are just one Australian soap opera and a series of ice-cream commercials. Oh, and that one time she played a real-life mob boss’s wife on prime-time television.
Suddenly, Estella Grant is no longer just the wife of a dangerous man. After leading a bloody coup she’s emerged as the leader of Melbourne’s biggest crime syndicate and she’s got one hell of a plan to execute. She’s got nothing to lose and an outsized reputation to help her in her reign of terror.
But Estella’s actions have unintended consequences because the public just can’t seem to get enough of a beautiful, dangerous mob boss. Season Seven of Universe Below is announced and Eloise is promoted to the lead role.
With her big break right on the horizon and her career hanging in the balance, Eloise decides that if she’s going to do the role justice, there’s only one thing left to do: try to get close to the most dangerous woman in the city.
Book Two of the Gold Hill series is the spicy sapphic mafia romance sequel to Only Hope
Eloise Silver is an actor in need of a big break. Now in her mid-thirties, her biggest credits to date are just one Australian soap opera and a series of ice-cream commercials. Oh, and that one time she played a real-life mob boss’s wife on prime-time television.
Suddenly, Estella Grant is no longer just the wife of a dangerous man. After leading a bloody coup she’s emerged as the leader of Melbourne’s biggest crime syndicate and she’s got one hell of a plan to execute. She’s got nothing to lose and an outsized reputation to help her in her reign of terror.
But Estella’s actions have unintended consequences because the public just can’t seem to get enough of a beautiful, dangerous mob boss. Season Seven of Universe Below is announced and Eloise is promoted to the lead role.
With her big break right on the horizon and her career hanging in the balance, Eloise decides that if she’s going to do the role justice, there’s only one thing left to do: try to get close to the most dangerous woman in the city.
Book Two of the Gold Hill series is the spicy sapphic mafia romance sequel to Only Hope
360 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 21, 2025
140 people are currently reading
881 people want to read
About the author
Ruby Landers
7 books932 followersRuby Landers is an independent author of sapphic contemporary romance. She lives in Meanjin (Brisbane) Australia. As you’re reading this, she is either typing a million daydreamy words a minute, giving someone a thousand-yard stare while secretly working out a plot twist, having a deep conversation with anyone four-legged, bargaining with an expert kindergartner negotiator, or feeling wildly grateful she got to quit her day job. Either way, there’ll be coffee.
You can follow her at
Instagram @rubylandersauthor
You can follow her at
Instagram @rubylandersauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
November 17, 2025
5 ⭐️
What a story! Fascinating, complex, and complicated characters, enemies, family and friends, crime families, nearly impossible romance, TV show, and more, all wrapped up in one exciting book. Congratulations, Ruby Landers, another 5 stars for you.
Estella and Eloise (Ellie) are multifaceted, strong, and sometimes impulsive women. Ellie and her sister have a particularly strong bond, and I loved how Ellie loyally cared for her and her nephew. Although Estella is a mafia boss, I was fascinated by her and liked her from the start, even though I couldn't figure her out at first. She could be such a bitch, but when it mattered, she was also very caring, and she didn't shy away from taking unpleasant matters into her own hands.
Together with Ellie, we learn to look behind more and more layers of Estella's facade and realize that she's not just a brutal mafia boss who stops at nothing. She has big plans and will surprise some people if she stays free long enough or survives to carry them out.
Ellie is also a complex character. On the one hand, she is fascinated by Estella, but on the other hand, she is put off by the possibility that she is a murderer. And she is surprised herself when she realizes that she is not only interested in Estella because of the film role, but she feels safe in her presence. That can't be true, can it?
The attraction and chemistry between the two women were strong, but so was their inner turmoil over their growing feelings, a relationship that cannot be, that has no future—and yet is so strong. And the spicy scenes were really hot.
The secondary characters also play important roles, and I loved that Allison and Hope (from book one in this series) also got their moment; they all bring a lot of depth to the story.
Ruby Landers brings all the feelings between the pages, and she kept me on my toes. I rooted for Estella and Ellie, although for a long time, I couldn't imagine how it could work.
Amazing and unique storytelling, a clever plot, fascinating main characters, important supporting characters, all woven into an exciting gangster story with a love story.
I'm already looking forward to what Ruby Landers creates next.
Thank you to the author for receiving an ARC for an honest review
What a story! Fascinating, complex, and complicated characters, enemies, family and friends, crime families, nearly impossible romance, TV show, and more, all wrapped up in one exciting book. Congratulations, Ruby Landers, another 5 stars for you.
Estella and Eloise (Ellie) are multifaceted, strong, and sometimes impulsive women. Ellie and her sister have a particularly strong bond, and I loved how Ellie loyally cared for her and her nephew. Although Estella is a mafia boss, I was fascinated by her and liked her from the start, even though I couldn't figure her out at first. She could be such a bitch, but when it mattered, she was also very caring, and she didn't shy away from taking unpleasant matters into her own hands.
Together with Ellie, we learn to look behind more and more layers of Estella's facade and realize that she's not just a brutal mafia boss who stops at nothing. She has big plans and will surprise some people if she stays free long enough or survives to carry them out.
Ellie is also a complex character. On the one hand, she is fascinated by Estella, but on the other hand, she is put off by the possibility that she is a murderer. And she is surprised herself when she realizes that she is not only interested in Estella because of the film role, but she feels safe in her presence. That can't be true, can it?
The attraction and chemistry between the two women were strong, but so was their inner turmoil over their growing feelings, a relationship that cannot be, that has no future—and yet is so strong. And the spicy scenes were really hot.
The secondary characters also play important roles, and I loved that Allison and Hope (from book one in this series) also got their moment; they all bring a lot of depth to the story.
Ruby Landers brings all the feelings between the pages, and she kept me on my toes. I rooted for Estella and Ellie, although for a long time, I couldn't imagine how it could work.
Amazing and unique storytelling, a clever plot, fascinating main characters, important supporting characters, all woven into an exciting gangster story with a love story.
I'm already looking forward to what Ruby Landers creates next.
Thank you to the author for receiving an ARC for an honest review
November 13, 2025
Short version: amazing book, amazing cover.
Long version: Now that I've finished the book, I need a moment to lower my blood pressure. I was literally on high alert. That's how good the book was. This book is so rich: after Only Hope, I complained there wasn't enough mafia stuff; my wish was granted tenfold here. It's a book you devour; it's a book that grips you by the guts, and with a tension going crescendo, I was unable to put it down. The relationship between Estella and Ellie was so complicated and seemed impossible; seeing them getting close was amazing. Amazing because it was not simple; it was as complex as Estella's psychology and life, a cobweb of plans, danger, and conspiracy. I LOVE morally gray characters, and Estella Grant definitely made it into my top 3.There is the questioning of Ellie's inner moral compass, tainted by that inexplicable pull she feels towards Estella. I can't even define their relationship except that it was full of passion, power play, denial, a need for control, and danger. This complicated relationship was wrapped in a package with plot twists and suspense.
All that blabla to say: this book was amazing, and I loved every minute of it.
P.S.: I was happy to see the characters from Only Hope again.
Long version: Now that I've finished the book, I need a moment to lower my blood pressure. I was literally on high alert. That's how good the book was. This book is so rich: after Only Hope, I complained there wasn't enough mafia stuff; my wish was granted tenfold here. It's a book you devour; it's a book that grips you by the guts, and with a tension going crescendo, I was unable to put it down. The relationship between Estella and Ellie was so complicated and seemed impossible; seeing them getting close was amazing. Amazing because it was not simple; it was as complex as Estella's psychology and life, a cobweb of plans, danger, and conspiracy. I LOVE morally gray characters, and Estella Grant definitely made it into my top 3.There is the questioning of Ellie's inner moral compass, tainted by that inexplicable pull she feels towards Estella. I can't even define their relationship except that it was full of passion, power play, denial, a need for control, and danger. This complicated relationship was wrapped in a package with plot twists and suspense.
All that blabla to say: this book was amazing, and I loved every minute of it.
P.S.: I was happy to see the characters from Only Hope again.
December 1, 2025
This is the worst Ruby Landers novel I have read.
~Dun Dun Dun~
Ok so I had to be dramatic there. I have only read 2 other Ruby Landers novels, and they were both masterpieces, so the above statement isn’t actually that much of a condemnation.
I liked this. I was a little disappointed though given how much I loved the prior two novels, particularly Only Hope, which this novel is a sequel to. This wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t incredible either. I spent a lot of the book waiting for things to get good or for “everything to come together” and “waiting” isn’t the best description of what you want your readers to do. That said…. there was a lot of interesting stuff happening and it certainly did get better in the second half (or last 1/3? 1/4?). This is one of those novels that I would say you should read if you enjoyed the first one, but it won’t be the top of my recommendation list. This was well-written, yet I suppose the content didn’t grab me like I expected it to.
I might also just be thrown off a little by how different the vibe was compared to Only Hope. That novel was a messy friend group colliding with a reluctant-yet-passionate romance. It was a character-driven novel at its center, featuring a lot of big feelings, with plotline on the perimeter. This novel was all mafia-boss-in-a-messy-gang-war, and crime-lord-evading-the-law, and actress-dealing-with-the-dark-side-of-Hollywood. It was far more plot based and featured emotions and romance as a garnish. Those are my thoughts anyways!
So, I suppose the main takeaway from this novel, is that you shouldn’t mess with Ellie if there are lamps around.
~Dun Dun Dun~
Ok so I had to be dramatic there. I have only read 2 other Ruby Landers novels, and they were both masterpieces, so the above statement isn’t actually that much of a condemnation.
I liked this. I was a little disappointed though given how much I loved the prior two novels, particularly Only Hope, which this novel is a sequel to. This wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t incredible either. I spent a lot of the book waiting for things to get good or for “everything to come together” and “waiting” isn’t the best description of what you want your readers to do. That said…. there was a lot of interesting stuff happening and it certainly did get better in the second half (or last 1/3? 1/4?). This is one of those novels that I would say you should read if you enjoyed the first one, but it won’t be the top of my recommendation list. This was well-written, yet I suppose the content didn’t grab me like I expected it to.
I might also just be thrown off a little by how different the vibe was compared to Only Hope. That novel was a messy friend group colliding with a reluctant-yet-passionate romance. It was a character-driven novel at its center, featuring a lot of big feelings, with plotline on the perimeter. This novel was all mafia-boss-in-a-messy-gang-war, and crime-lord-evading-the-law, and actress-dealing-with-the-dark-side-of-Hollywood. It was far more plot based and featured emotions and romance as a garnish. Those are my thoughts anyways!
So, I suppose the main takeaway from this novel, is that you shouldn’t mess with Ellie if there are lamps around.
November 24, 2025
It’s 3:52 a.m., and tomorrow’s 8 a.m. wake-up is definitely going to hurt, but this book is just too good to stop. Every page makes you want ‘just one more.’ Honestly, if a book kept me up like this, it deserves five stars on that alone! Soooo, my rating is a solid 10 stars 😁
November 16, 2025
Wow, what a journey! Even though I finished the book two days ago, I still can't stop thinking about Estella and Ellie. It was so incredibly exciting, and I never thought I'd say this, but Ruby Landers has convinced me that I like mafia romances. It was also unimaginable to me that Ruby could write a book even better than Ribbonwood... but I was so wrong.
The story of Estella and Ellie fascinated me, and I rooted for this unlikely couple despite all the obstacles. Even though at times it was absolutely unimaginable to me what a relationship between these two women, who led such different lives, would look like. It was so thrilling that I had to bite my nails. I was on the edge of my seat, hoping and literally devouring the book.
Ruby has an extraordinary talent for presenting a character at the beginning who you immediately want to pigeonhole into a stereotype. But with every page, it becomes clearer that not everything is as it seems at first glance. Estella's story was so much more complex than that.
I loved everything about this book! From the cover to the profound characters, the mafia plot, the love story, the longing, the attraction, the pace, and the extraordinary spice. I'm still catching my breath!!!
I highly recommend this book! Even though it's part 2 of the Gold Hill series, you can read it without any prior knowledge. But it's also nice to know the characters from the first part and meet them again here.
Many thanks to Ruby Landers for the ARC!
The story of Estella and Ellie fascinated me, and I rooted for this unlikely couple despite all the obstacles. Even though at times it was absolutely unimaginable to me what a relationship between these two women, who led such different lives, would look like. It was so thrilling that I had to bite my nails. I was on the edge of my seat, hoping and literally devouring the book.
Ruby has an extraordinary talent for presenting a character at the beginning who you immediately want to pigeonhole into a stereotype. But with every page, it becomes clearer that not everything is as it seems at first glance. Estella's story was so much more complex than that.
I loved everything about this book! From the cover to the profound characters, the mafia plot, the love story, the longing, the attraction, the pace, and the extraordinary spice. I'm still catching my breath!!!
I highly recommend this book! Even though it's part 2 of the Gold Hill series, you can read it without any prior knowledge. But it's also nice to know the characters from the first part and meet them again here.
Many thanks to Ruby Landers for the ARC!
December 9, 2025
BABES - I devoured this book like it was a forbidden dessert laced with danger and sapphic longing—because honestly, that’s kind of what The Counterpart is. Ruby Landers delivers a sequel that isn’t just a follow-up—it’s a full-on glow-up, packed with tension, heat, and a mob boss you absolutely should not fall for... and yet, you do.
At the heart of the story is Eloise Silver, a struggling actor whose career has been a series of near-misses and cringy commercials. She’s finally handed her big break—headlining Universe Below as Estella Grant, a real-life mob queen who’s turned Melbourne’s underworld into her personal playground. But to do the role justice, Eloise makes a decision that blurs the line between method acting and reckless obsession: she tries to get close to the real Estella.
This book is a masterclass in slow-burn tension. Ruby Landers does not rush the chemistry—she lets it simmer, layer by dangerous, delightful layer. And when it finally ignites? 🔥 Oh, it burns everything UP. Think: morally gray intensity meets emotional vulnerability, with enough plot twists to make your jaw drop at least three separate times. (IYKYK.)
The complexity of these characters is absolutely phenomenal. Estella is all sharp edges and smoky glances, a woman with a terrifying amount of power and just enough softness underneath to make your heart ache. Eloise, on the other hand, is bumbling and brave, constantly unsure if she’s acting for the cameras or getting pulled into something real—and dangerous. Watching their dynamic unfold was like watching a knife’s edge glint in the sun—beautiful and terrifying.
OH ALSO!!! We get more of Alice and Hope, and their scenes add a warm thread through the story. It felt like checking in with old friends while falling dangerously in love with new ones.
Landers has such a distinctive writing style—sharp, witty, emotionally rich—and her storytelling here is so layered and immersive, it’s almost hard to describe. Crime drama? Check. Queer romance? Check. Commentary on fame, identity, and power? Also check. And somehow it all works, flawlessly.
But here’s the problem with Ruby Landers work: I get bummed when her books end. Like... what do I do now?! She leaves me totally hungover, heart spinning, and now I have to wait for the next one. Sigh. Woe to me. I’d sell my soul for a sneak peek of anything she's working on. Just a little fix to hold me over (until I can devour the whole thing)
And can we talk about the audiobook? I cannot wait. I need to hear Estella’s voice dripping with danger, and Eloise’s nervous banter—it’s going to be everything. This is one I'll own in every format haha!
If you’re looking for a sapphic romance that balances spice, suspense, and seriously complex characters, The Counterpart is your next obsession. Ruby Landers has officially made me a Gold Hill fangirl for life.
At the heart of the story is Eloise Silver, a struggling actor whose career has been a series of near-misses and cringy commercials. She’s finally handed her big break—headlining Universe Below as Estella Grant, a real-life mob queen who’s turned Melbourne’s underworld into her personal playground. But to do the role justice, Eloise makes a decision that blurs the line between method acting and reckless obsession: she tries to get close to the real Estella.
This book is a masterclass in slow-burn tension. Ruby Landers does not rush the chemistry—she lets it simmer, layer by dangerous, delightful layer. And when it finally ignites? 🔥 Oh, it burns everything UP. Think: morally gray intensity meets emotional vulnerability, with enough plot twists to make your jaw drop at least three separate times. (IYKYK.)
The complexity of these characters is absolutely phenomenal. Estella is all sharp edges and smoky glances, a woman with a terrifying amount of power and just enough softness underneath to make your heart ache. Eloise, on the other hand, is bumbling and brave, constantly unsure if she’s acting for the cameras or getting pulled into something real—and dangerous. Watching their dynamic unfold was like watching a knife’s edge glint in the sun—beautiful and terrifying.
OH ALSO!!! We get more of Alice and Hope, and their scenes add a warm thread through the story. It felt like checking in with old friends while falling dangerously in love with new ones.
Landers has such a distinctive writing style—sharp, witty, emotionally rich—and her storytelling here is so layered and immersive, it’s almost hard to describe. Crime drama? Check. Queer romance? Check. Commentary on fame, identity, and power? Also check. And somehow it all works, flawlessly.
But here’s the problem with Ruby Landers work: I get bummed when her books end. Like... what do I do now?! She leaves me totally hungover, heart spinning, and now I have to wait for the next one. Sigh. Woe to me. I’d sell my soul for a sneak peek of anything she's working on. Just a little fix to hold me over (until I can devour the whole thing)
And can we talk about the audiobook? I cannot wait. I need to hear Estella’s voice dripping with danger, and Eloise’s nervous banter—it’s going to be everything. This is one I'll own in every format haha!
If you’re looking for a sapphic romance that balances spice, suspense, and seriously complex characters, The Counterpart is your next obsession. Ruby Landers has officially made me a Gold Hill fangirl for life.
November 30, 2025
LITERALLY NO ONE DOES ANGST AND FEELINGS LIKE RUBY LANDERS…this deserves a full review but my mind is still reeling from this story
November 12, 2025
Thank you to Ruby Landers and BookFunnel for providing me with an ARC of The Counterpart before publication. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.75 stars)
„Wow. Omg. What a book!“ That was my first thought when I finished The Counterpart by Ruby Landers. This story hooked me from the first chapter. I couldn’t put it down and kept thinking about Estella and Ellie long after I stopped reading. It’s one of those books that keeps you on your toes the entire time, literally in the best way.
Estella and Ellie’s chemistry was immediate. Every encounter between them felt so well-paced and deliberate. Their banter was sharp, and the tension built so naturally. The spice scenes were written perfectly, fitting right into the emotional flow of their story. I found myself actually craving every moment they shared.
I loved how Ellie started out wanting to understand Estella for her role, only to end up falling for the real woman behind the mob-boss persona. Estella’s character, though, completely stole the show for me. Her chapters were my favorite; layered, complex, and full of quiet power. I liked seeing how her past shaped her and how she slowly let her guard down around Ellie.
The gang element was also well done. It added tension and grit without overwhelming the story. And the side characters? Fantastic. Hugo and Harry were standouts, and it was SO great to see Hope and Allison again. Ellie’s sister, Zara, added a nice emotional balance, too.
This book doesn’t shy away from heavy themes like domestic violence, murder, and toxic masculinity. Ruby Landers handled them with care and realism, making the story feel grounded despite the intensity.
The writing is sharp, the pacing near perfect, and the plot so very well constructed. It’s a story that’ll stay with me for a while. Highly recommend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.75 stars)
„Wow. Omg. What a book!“ That was my first thought when I finished The Counterpart by Ruby Landers. This story hooked me from the first chapter. I couldn’t put it down and kept thinking about Estella and Ellie long after I stopped reading. It’s one of those books that keeps you on your toes the entire time, literally in the best way.
Estella and Ellie’s chemistry was immediate. Every encounter between them felt so well-paced and deliberate. Their banter was sharp, and the tension built so naturally. The spice scenes were written perfectly, fitting right into the emotional flow of their story. I found myself actually craving every moment they shared.
I loved how Ellie started out wanting to understand Estella for her role, only to end up falling for the real woman behind the mob-boss persona. Estella’s character, though, completely stole the show for me. Her chapters were my favorite; layered, complex, and full of quiet power. I liked seeing how her past shaped her and how she slowly let her guard down around Ellie.
The gang element was also well done. It added tension and grit without overwhelming the story. And the side characters? Fantastic. Hugo and Harry were standouts, and it was SO great to see Hope and Allison again. Ellie’s sister, Zara, added a nice emotional balance, too.
This book doesn’t shy away from heavy themes like domestic violence, murder, and toxic masculinity. Ruby Landers handled them with care and realism, making the story feel grounded despite the intensity.
The writing is sharp, the pacing near perfect, and the plot so very well constructed. It’s a story that’ll stay with me for a while. Highly recommend.
November 10, 2025
I have impatiently been waiting for a new book written by Ruby Landers. Thus, I was so happy to get a chance to read The Counterpart that is part of the Gold Hill series. I was sure that the next book in the series would be a sweet story focussing on someone in Hope’s friend group presented in Only Hope but boy was I wrong. Instead, it is about something even more interesting, the mobster Estella and the actress Ellie that was portraying Estella in a mobster soap opera. I know I was a bit anti to the whole mobster angle in Only Hope, but it is all redeemed now, I loved that this was featured in the Counterpart with the added action and tension.
We met Estella already in Only Hope where she was a bit scary, but she also saved Alison and Hope’s lives so she can’t be all bad that is clear from the beginning. Estella is a widow, finally free from her horrible mobster husband Mike and thus she is now in charge. Because of this fact Ellie, a struggling actress, is approached and asked if she can play Estella again in a season seven of the soap opera, this time as the lead. This is an amazing chance for Ellie, and she starts to study Estella, or I would say starts stalking her, is kind of obsessed until Estella calls her out, her pesky shadow. Estella hates the fact that she will be featured in a soap opera but better to allow Ellie to get to know her a bit, see the real Estella.
The chemistry between Estella and Ellie is there from the beginning and I just loved it. Estella is heart-stoppingly attractive but also probably a serial killer and most definitely a mobster, but Ellie just cannot avoid lusting for her, she really has a thing for bad girls. It is also soon clear that Estella is so much more than a bad girl, she also has feelings, cares about people, is not the standard mobster at all and is terrified about the thought that she may end up in prison. Estella is such a big threat to Ellie’s safety but is it even possible to step away forever when you have these feelings and that special connection?
I received and ARC from the author and leave a review voluntarily.
We met Estella already in Only Hope where she was a bit scary, but she also saved Alison and Hope’s lives so she can’t be all bad that is clear from the beginning. Estella is a widow, finally free from her horrible mobster husband Mike and thus she is now in charge. Because of this fact Ellie, a struggling actress, is approached and asked if she can play Estella again in a season seven of the soap opera, this time as the lead. This is an amazing chance for Ellie, and she starts to study Estella, or I would say starts stalking her, is kind of obsessed until Estella calls her out, her pesky shadow. Estella hates the fact that she will be featured in a soap opera but better to allow Ellie to get to know her a bit, see the real Estella.
The chemistry between Estella and Ellie is there from the beginning and I just loved it. Estella is heart-stoppingly attractive but also probably a serial killer and most definitely a mobster, but Ellie just cannot avoid lusting for her, she really has a thing for bad girls. It is also soon clear that Estella is so much more than a bad girl, she also has feelings, cares about people, is not the standard mobster at all and is terrified about the thought that she may end up in prison. Estella is such a big threat to Ellie’s safety but is it even possible to step away forever when you have these feelings and that special connection?
I received and ARC from the author and leave a review voluntarily.
December 3, 2025
4.5 stars. Damn. Seated for whatever book comes next
November 23, 2025
While book one Gold Hill was all tension and yearning. This one is desire and danger.
Such a great plot idea, actress Ellie trying to get into the skin of Estella mob boss to portray her on screen. What could go wrong?
The build up of tension was so well done. The story moving at pace.
The chemistry between Ellie and Estella, the warm teasing, dancing around each other then it's scorching. The drama then hit and with it a crossover with book one characters, so calculated and clever. The storyline keeps you totally captivated.
Yep I loved it! More books from Gold Hill please.
Such a great plot idea, actress Ellie trying to get into the skin of Estella mob boss to portray her on screen. What could go wrong?
The build up of tension was so well done. The story moving at pace.
The chemistry between Ellie and Estella, the warm teasing, dancing around each other then it's scorching. The drama then hit and with it a crossover with book one characters, so calculated and clever. The storyline keeps you totally captivated.
Yep I loved it! More books from Gold Hill please.
November 25, 2025
Estella always has plans. Since she killed off some men that were in her way (check out the first book of the Gold Hill series, Only Hope), the police have been sniffing after her. But as long she acts as the grieving widow of a mob boss, everything is going to be fine if she stays calm. Till a detective is thrown into the case, who is very suspicious of her and not someone who would step away from the case. And here enters Eloise. The actress who acts the part of Estella on Prime Television. Eloise needs to get to know Estella to be her on television. The version that is intriguing, dangerous, but also human, and Estella needs Eloise to picture her as a character that would interest the jury, making her be on their good side. Each giving the other what they want for their own benefits, simple as that.
However, this time, nothing goes according to Estella’s plans. Being attracted to Eloise was not in the plan. And Eloise never meant to fall for Estella. However, Estella’s secrets loom over them, and Estella’s hands were never clean of blood. Maybe, this relationship was never meant to survive in the first place. Or only hope for the best.
I remember after reading Only Hope, I was so intrigued by Estella that I jokingly asked Ruby whether I could make her my book girlfriend if she didn’t have any plans for Estella. And I am glad I never got official with Estella because if I did, this masterpiece would not have born.😂
I love every one of Ruby’s books, they are my comfort 5 star reads and yet, The Counterpart is my current favorite Ruby Landers’ book now. The plot, character build, smut, chemistry, and side characters? Everything was so perfectly balanced.
The main story is about two characters learning about each other. While Eloise was devouring Estella to get to know who she is, Estella was devouring Eloise since she is a mob boss and had to know every angle and intention of the actress.
Of course, in romance, we know that characters like this are going to fall in love with each other. But also, just knowing the person better does not lead to love. Why did they fall for each other? Ruby Landers expertly navigates this issue, and shows why these two characters are meant for each other with every interaction they have. Of course, the sizzling, dripping chemistry between them was top tier.
Ruby Landers always throws questions to the readers in her books. This one was, if the world will never lend a hand towards the victims, if the scale was always tilted to one side, making the playing ground unfair, can taking justice into one’s hand be justified?
And this is another reason I love Ruby’s books. Also the reason why her books resonate so much in many ways with me. Estella is no sunshine and unicorns. Her actions might be punishable by law itself, but to those who are the victims or at least have seen a side of what the victims experience? Her actions might be the only justice they might get. If the system is tilted to one side, what society claims to be right and wrong, could be the right and wrong for those in power, not for everyone.
One another thing to mention is the fantastic side characters. It was comforting to see Ellie having her friends to fall back to when she needed support, and Estella having people in solidarity that will help her out when she is between a rock and a hard place. Side characters that have their own stories and life while being a supportive friend are always so precious!
Ruby Landers is a genius like always, and I am so honored to have received an ARC of The Counterpart for an honest review.
However, this time, nothing goes according to Estella’s plans. Being attracted to Eloise was not in the plan. And Eloise never meant to fall for Estella. However, Estella’s secrets loom over them, and Estella’s hands were never clean of blood. Maybe, this relationship was never meant to survive in the first place. Or only hope for the best.
I remember after reading Only Hope, I was so intrigued by Estella that I jokingly asked Ruby whether I could make her my book girlfriend if she didn’t have any plans for Estella. And I am glad I never got official with Estella because if I did, this masterpiece would not have born.😂
I love every one of Ruby’s books, they are my comfort 5 star reads and yet, The Counterpart is my current favorite Ruby Landers’ book now. The plot, character build, smut, chemistry, and side characters? Everything was so perfectly balanced.
The main story is about two characters learning about each other. While Eloise was devouring Estella to get to know who she is, Estella was devouring Eloise since she is a mob boss and had to know every angle and intention of the actress.
Of course, in romance, we know that characters like this are going to fall in love with each other. But also, just knowing the person better does not lead to love. Why did they fall for each other? Ruby Landers expertly navigates this issue, and shows why these two characters are meant for each other with every interaction they have. Of course, the sizzling, dripping chemistry between them was top tier.
Ruby Landers always throws questions to the readers in her books. This one was, if the world will never lend a hand towards the victims, if the scale was always tilted to one side, making the playing ground unfair, can taking justice into one’s hand be justified?
And this is another reason I love Ruby’s books. Also the reason why her books resonate so much in many ways with me. Estella is no sunshine and unicorns. Her actions might be punishable by law itself, but to those who are the victims or at least have seen a side of what the victims experience? Her actions might be the only justice they might get. If the system is tilted to one side, what society claims to be right and wrong, could be the right and wrong for those in power, not for everyone.
One another thing to mention is the fantastic side characters. It was comforting to see Ellie having her friends to fall back to when she needed support, and Estella having people in solidarity that will help her out when she is between a rock and a hard place. Side characters that have their own stories and life while being a supportive friend are always so precious!
Ruby Landers is a genius like always, and I am so honored to have received an ARC of The Counterpart for an honest review.
November 25, 2025
The Counterpart by Ruby Landers is the second book in the Gold Hill series. I enjoyed the first one, and this one is also fantastic. I was curious about the route the author was going with this one, but it did not disappoint. Landers delivers another hit with this sexy, dangerous, and intense novel, balancing mob intrigue and sapphic romance perfectly making for an exciting read from beginning to end.
I have read three books by this author, and she is an auto-read for me. The writing style is immersive, with just the right amount of descriptive imagery, character insight, thrilling plot points, tender, and steamy scenes.
Feminine rage, revenge, and redemption mark this empowering story. The Counterpart features powerful, intelligent, complex, morally gray characters.
I enjoyed the TV-series/actor angle quite a bit.
To get the most out of the series, I recommend reading them in order.
#mob #mafia #crime #sapphic #foundfamily #bigcity #smalltown #HEA #epilogue #actor #crimeboss #Melbourne #Australia
I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest opinion.
I have read three books by this author, and she is an auto-read for me. The writing style is immersive, with just the right amount of descriptive imagery, character insight, thrilling plot points, tender, and steamy scenes.
Feminine rage, revenge, and redemption mark this empowering story. The Counterpart features powerful, intelligent, complex, morally gray characters.
I enjoyed the TV-series/actor angle quite a bit.
To get the most out of the series, I recommend reading them in order.
#mob #mafia #crime #sapphic #foundfamily #bigcity #smalltown #HEA #epilogue #actor #crimeboss #Melbourne #Australia
I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest opinion.
December 16, 2025
5 ⭐️
What a fascinating read. Pulled an all-nighter since I just couldn't put away my Kindle, and thank goodness it’s not a working day for me the next day. The (slow burn) romance between our 2 leads, mob boss Estella Grant and actress Ellie Silver, just doesn't seem feasible from the beginning with all the complexity…but alas, what a twist. Brilliantly done and I absolutely loved it.
What a fascinating read. Pulled an all-nighter since I just couldn't put away my Kindle, and thank goodness it’s not a working day for me the next day. The (slow burn) romance between our 2 leads, mob boss Estella Grant and actress Ellie Silver, just doesn't seem feasible from the beginning with all the complexity…but alas, what a twist. Brilliantly done and I absolutely loved it.
January 6, 2026
3.8 ⭐️ A sapphic mob romance that’s an emotional rollercoaster.
First of all I did enjoy this. I’m yet to be let down by a book by Landers but this is probably the lowest on my ranking list so far. (I still greatly enjoyed it though.)
I loved the characters, and the second half of the novel has such a gripping focus on community and feminism - similar to Ribbonwood - which I truly adored. I think Landers always does a stellar job with the story around the romance, especially with focuses on misogyny/treatment of women and rape culture. It’s something we need to be angrier about and it’s always refreshing when an author opens up a conversation around it, especially with how things are right now.
Saying that, I struggled with this one at times. Whilst I read it in a day, the first 50% was a task to get through pacing wise and I did consider DNFing but the second half is honestly immaculate. There was a lot going on all at once with both storylines in the first half which initially did make it slightly harder to follow.
It also felt a tad disjointed from Only Hope in terms of tone. I think it may have worked better as a standalone in a separate universe. (I get the character tie in, but totally it’s very different.) This book is incredibly different genre wise and is a lot more TW heavy etc. Saying that I love a heavier read so still enjoyed those aspects.
If you’re going into this expect something action and heavier themes. It’s a lot of fun and a wild ride but is very much different from Only Hope. It’s also pretty spicy, and as always I adored those scenes.
Rep// Sapphic Woman MC, Lesbian Woman MC, Trans Boy SC. Central romance is sapphic/WLW.
TWs listed below, please skip if you don’t want vague spoilers.
TW// sex on page (including scenes with degradation/light kink), misogyny, rape culture, panic attacks, blood, kidnapping, vomiting, death of a family member (past), drug addiction resulting in death (past SC), SA themes, mention of SA/rape (off page), attempted SA (on page), death, murder, police scenes, mentions of drug trade, trafficking mentions, mobs, attack of a woman/ beating (off page, although the recovery is on page.)
Strong themes of: rape culture, SA, mobs, crime, mistreatment and harm towards women. (Nothing too graphic on page but frequent discussions), misogyny issues within schools (on page.)
First of all I did enjoy this. I’m yet to be let down by a book by Landers but this is probably the lowest on my ranking list so far. (I still greatly enjoyed it though.)
I loved the characters, and the second half of the novel has such a gripping focus on community and feminism - similar to Ribbonwood - which I truly adored. I think Landers always does a stellar job with the story around the romance, especially with focuses on misogyny/treatment of women and rape culture. It’s something we need to be angrier about and it’s always refreshing when an author opens up a conversation around it, especially with how things are right now.
Saying that, I struggled with this one at times. Whilst I read it in a day, the first 50% was a task to get through pacing wise and I did consider DNFing but the second half is honestly immaculate. There was a lot going on all at once with both storylines in the first half which initially did make it slightly harder to follow.
It also felt a tad disjointed from Only Hope in terms of tone. I think it may have worked better as a standalone in a separate universe. (I get the character tie in, but totally it’s very different.) This book is incredibly different genre wise and is a lot more TW heavy etc. Saying that I love a heavier read so still enjoyed those aspects.
If you’re going into this expect something action and heavier themes. It’s a lot of fun and a wild ride but is very much different from Only Hope. It’s also pretty spicy, and as always I adored those scenes.
Rep// Sapphic Woman MC, Lesbian Woman MC, Trans Boy SC. Central romance is sapphic/WLW.
TWs listed below, please skip if you don’t want vague spoilers.
TW// sex on page (including scenes with degradation/light kink), misogyny, rape culture, panic attacks, blood, kidnapping, vomiting, death of a family member (past), drug addiction resulting in death (past SC), SA themes, mention of SA/rape (off page), attempted SA (on page), death, murder, police scenes, mentions of drug trade, trafficking mentions, mobs, attack of a woman/ beating (off page, although the recovery is on page.)
Strong themes of: rape culture, SA, mobs, crime, mistreatment and harm towards women. (Nothing too graphic on page but frequent discussions), misogyny issues within schools (on page.)
November 21, 2025
I loved this book and it’s no surprise. Ruby Landers is unequivocally one of my all time favorite authors. Her way of writing just grips me immediately whether it’s a celebrity romance, a mafia romance or anything beyond and in between. I always look forward to every single release in digital, physical and audio.
Estella Grant is my favorite morally grey sapphic character. I can appreciate when a character is not at all what they seem and I definitely love a tough woman who only melts for one woman. Ellie was also morally gray character, probably less than Estella but the author presents her entirely to the reader. Her sacrifice for her family, her ability to read Estella like an open book, her uncontrollable attraction and inability to stay away and how she matched Estella’s energy so well. Truly two sides of the same coin.
I worried a lot about how they were going to work things out, I’m glad they did.
I loved having characters from Only Hope back and I would like to point out that when Hugo said: “You need to slip inside her”, that’s not what he meant.
Thank you to Ruby Landers for providing me with an eARC.
Estella Grant is my favorite morally grey sapphic character. I can appreciate when a character is not at all what they seem and I definitely love a tough woman who only melts for one woman. Ellie was also morally gray character, probably less than Estella but the author presents her entirely to the reader. Her sacrifice for her family, her ability to read Estella like an open book, her uncontrollable attraction and inability to stay away and how she matched Estella’s energy so well. Truly two sides of the same coin.
I worried a lot about how they were going to work things out, I’m glad they did.
I loved having characters from Only Hope back and I would like to point out that when Hugo said: “You need to slip inside her”, that’s not what he meant.
Thank you to Ruby Landers for providing me with an eARC.
November 17, 2025
Ruby never disapponit!!
This book talks about a different theme from those the author wrote previously but like all the others it is sweet and heartwarming once you get past the superficial plot.
This book talks about revenge, female power but above all about loyalty and mutual help between women. It's empowering!
The protagonists are extraordinary and complex, especially Estrella. It is precisely this psychological and character complexity that is why I couldn't put the book down.
If you're undecided because it's a mafia romance, know that I'm not a big fan of this trope either, but in this book – despite being a mobster is an integral part of Estrella's life - this aspect it's not described in a too gory way (there are always shootings, violence and mention of murders).
Now let's move on to the tropes, the good ones 😉:
- Set Down under
- Mafia romance
-Touch her and die
-Ice queen
-Toaster Oven
-Queer Awakening
- Femme x Femme
-Who did this to you?
-Contemporary
-BDSM elements
-HEA
-Everyone is queer
-Protective & Morally grey MC
-Mob boss × Actress
-Schemes and vengeance
if I haven't convinced you yet, this quote will " I know you're dangerous, but you always make me feel safe"
Overall it's a 4.5 ⭐- i really wanted it to be more of a slow burn 😭- and 3 🔥
CW: Murders - physical assaults - gun use - death - sexual assault - parent abandonment - loss of loved ones - mention of both parents being death - mention of drugs use (MC' mum) - kidnappings - mention of torture and human trafficking - single mother (MC's sister) - death of a beloved pet (old age) - misogyny - general gang violence - mention of cheating
This book talks about a different theme from those the author wrote previously but like all the others it is sweet and heartwarming once you get past the superficial plot.
This book talks about revenge, female power but above all about loyalty and mutual help between women. It's empowering!
The protagonists are extraordinary and complex, especially Estrella. It is precisely this psychological and character complexity that is why I couldn't put the book down.
If you're undecided because it's a mafia romance, know that I'm not a big fan of this trope either, but in this book – despite being a mobster is an integral part of Estrella's life - this aspect it's not described in a too gory way (there are always shootings, violence and mention of murders).
Now let's move on to the tropes, the good ones 😉:
- Set Down under
- Mafia romance
-Touch her and die
-Ice queen
-Toaster Oven
-Queer Awakening
- Femme x Femme
-Who did this to you?
-Contemporary
-BDSM elements
-HEA
-Everyone is queer
-Protective & Morally grey MC
-Mob boss × Actress
-Schemes and vengeance
if I haven't convinced you yet, this quote will " I know you're dangerous, but you always make me feel safe"
Overall it's a 4.5 ⭐- i really wanted it to be more of a slow burn 😭- and 3 🔥
CW: Murders - physical assaults - gun use - death - sexual assault - parent abandonment - loss of loved ones - mention of both parents being death - mention of drugs use (MC' mum) - kidnappings - mention of torture and human trafficking - single mother (MC's sister) - death of a beloved pet (old age) - misogyny - general gang violence - mention of cheating
January 2, 2026
Wow. I’m impressed with Ruby Landers once again! Keep up the fantastic stories.
This started out very slow for me and if I had not seen the great reviews by some of my friends I would have stopped reading it. At the 25% mark it took off and didn’t stop until the very end. I loved Ellie’s sister Zara’s declaration on how men get away with terrible and criminal behavior.
Elle was a sweetheart and super nice, I was happy to see her stand up with a spine and not let herself become a victim. Estella was pure bad ass and I loved every bit of her character.
This was a plot twisting story that kept me guessing until the end. I highly recommend it to my book friends. You don’t need to read the previous one in this series, in fact the only parts of it I remember were the scenes with Hugo and Harry’s home at Gold Hill.
I just came home from 3 weeks in Australia and 4 days in Melbourne, so fun to read about a few of the places I visited. 😊
This started out very slow for me and if I had not seen the great reviews by some of my friends I would have stopped reading it. At the 25% mark it took off and didn’t stop until the very end. I loved Ellie’s sister Zara’s declaration on how men get away with terrible and criminal behavior.
Elle was a sweetheart and super nice, I was happy to see her stand up with a spine and not let herself become a victim. Estella was pure bad ass and I loved every bit of her character.
This was a plot twisting story that kept me guessing until the end. I highly recommend it to my book friends. You don’t need to read the previous one in this series, in fact the only parts of it I remember were the scenes with Hugo and Harry’s home at Gold Hill.
I just came home from 3 weeks in Australia and 4 days in Melbourne, so fun to read about a few of the places I visited. 😊
December 5, 2025
Brilliant! I am in awe of an author who has the ability to write a novel with so many characters and complicated parts where it all seemingly falls into place as if it’s no big deal!
I was frustrated as I struggled, at times, trying to keep track of things—so many characters I couldn’t keep track of, names that I forgot who they were. This included characters from her previous book(s?) I guess I have a short-term memory.
The best, best highlight was the undeniable chemistry between Estella and Ellie, and the steamy scenes!
I was frustrated as I struggled, at times, trying to keep track of things—so many characters I couldn’t keep track of, names that I forgot who they were. This included characters from her previous book(s?) I guess I have a short-term memory.
The best, best highlight was the undeniable chemistry between Estella and Ellie, and the steamy scenes!
November 9, 2025
As always Ruby Landers doesn’t disappoint!
In this book we follow Estella Grant who we already met in the first book and Eloise who plays Estella in a TV series and has been promoted to the lead role after Estella becomes the leader of Melbourne’s biggest crime syndicate. Eloise wants to make the character justice and so she tries to get close to Estella and that’s when the show begins.
I really liked Estella’s character and how she was portrayed in this book, how she took charge and became a mob boss who wasn’t afraid of doing what had to be done, while in the first book we only dipped our toes into the mafia stuff in this book it took centre stage.
Ellie’s character was also well done but I didn’t like her as much as I did Estella, though I really appreciated her relationship with her sister, Zara, and her nephew, Arthur, who had an interesting storyline that’s very relevant for boys nowadays.
The relationship between Estella and Ellie was a slow burn and I enjoyed seeing how their feelings for each other grew overtime even if they weren’t my favorite of Landers couples.
We also got to see Alison and Hope from the first book and their group which was really nice.
Also another thing I really liked was that we got a lot more of action in this book, the last chapters had me sweeting because I really didn’t know what was going to happen.
Although I have to say that I would have liked to see more of Estella and Ellie as a couple.
I can’t wait to see what more Landers has in store because her writing and her stories are amazing!
Thanks to the author for the ARC
In this book we follow Estella Grant who we already met in the first book and Eloise who plays Estella in a TV series and has been promoted to the lead role after Estella becomes the leader of Melbourne’s biggest crime syndicate. Eloise wants to make the character justice and so she tries to get close to Estella and that’s when the show begins.
I really liked Estella’s character and how she was portrayed in this book, how she took charge and became a mob boss who wasn’t afraid of doing what had to be done, while in the first book we only dipped our toes into the mafia stuff in this book it took centre stage.
Ellie’s character was also well done but I didn’t like her as much as I did Estella, though I really appreciated her relationship with her sister, Zara, and her nephew, Arthur, who had an interesting storyline that’s very relevant for boys nowadays.
The relationship between Estella and Ellie was a slow burn and I enjoyed seeing how their feelings for each other grew overtime even if they weren’t my favorite of Landers couples.
We also got to see Alison and Hope from the first book and their group which was really nice.
Also another thing I really liked was that we got a lot more of action in this book, the last chapters had me sweeting because I really didn’t know what was going to happen.
Although I have to say that I would have liked to see more of Estella and Ellie as a couple.
I can’t wait to see what more Landers has in store because her writing and her stories are amazing!
Thanks to the author for the ARC
December 5, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
The mafia storyline was OK, but the chemistry and romance was A+
The mafia storyline was OK, but the chemistry and romance was A+
November 27, 2025
This was fantastic. I have no notes. I knew this would be a banger before I started and it still blew me out of the water.
November 8, 2025
What a ride! I knew this would be good because Ruby Landers' books are the most consistently enjoyable of any author I read (and I read A LOT). This book is truly like a rollercoaster, because it starts light, fun and campy and with every page turned gets more exciting, engrossing and delightfully intense. As always, Ruby's characters feel three dimensional, doing their best amidst their challenges and traumas. The new people we meet are as wonderful as the old friends we encounter here (and I did laugh for joy when more people from Only Hope started showing up).
Akin in some ways to Ribbonwood, The Counterpart's storyline involves incredibly strong women triumphing over the BS they've been handed. What a sheer delight to read! I only buy hard copies of my favorite books that I plan to re-read, and I already see the spot on my shelf for this one.
Akin in some ways to Ribbonwood, The Counterpart's storyline involves incredibly strong women triumphing over the BS they've been handed. What a sheer delight to read! I only buy hard copies of my favorite books that I plan to re-read, and I already see the spot on my shelf for this one.
November 27, 2025
As I've mentioned in my review for the first book in the series, my main problem is that I'm not the biggest fan of mafia books in general. But this is Ruby Landers, so there was zero chance I was going to skip this one.
Eventually I managed to convince myself to just accept that the plot is going to be unrealistic, and after that it was quite fun and exciting. After all, the author says it herself, she wanted it to be campy. And it is.
One other problem is that initially Estella seemed all over the place for me as a character, but it also got better eventually. The same goes for the plot in general, it just... It jumped too much for my liking. And the conclusion was too rushed in my opinion.
Overall, I loved this, however improbable and sometimes laughable it all seemed to me. I'm quite obsessed with Estella and Ellie's chemistry.
Eventually I managed to convince myself to just accept that the plot is going to be unrealistic, and after that it was quite fun and exciting. After all, the author says it herself, she wanted it to be campy. And it is.
One other problem is that initially Estella seemed all over the place for me as a character, but it also got better eventually. The same goes for the plot in general, it just... It jumped too much for my liking. And the conclusion was too rushed in my opinion.
Overall, I loved this, however improbable and sometimes laughable it all seemed to me. I'm quite obsessed with Estella and Ellie's chemistry.
January 8, 2026
This is a solid 4⭐️ for me.
December 30, 2025
thanks a lot, ruby landers. you now have me yearning for a mob boss. great, just what i needed (10/10, no notes)
December 5, 2025
It's fascinating how the lives of mafia boss Estella and actor Ellie intertwine. Ruby Landers also excels at how she weaves this into a compelling and believable story.
In the last part of the book, they end up in Gold Hill, where the previous book in this series was set. From that point on, it wasn't really a romance anymore, but more crime. There was also little to no contact between the main characters. That didn't appeal to me as much. I also lost track for a moment. Perhaps because I hadn't remembered the content of the previous book? I did read it of course, but I've read many other books since then, so I didn't really recall what it was about. Why Alison Hartmann suddenly appeared in the story remained unclear to me. It felt more like: we're calling it a series, so let's also bring in Alison and Hope from book 1. In my opinion, it was unnecessary and confusing.
I thoroughly enjoyed most of the book, but from the moment it veered into crime, I found it significantly less enjoyable. All in all, though, it's still a good book.
In the last part of the book, they end up in Gold Hill, where the previous book in this series was set. From that point on, it wasn't really a romance anymore, but more crime. There was also little to no contact between the main characters. That didn't appeal to me as much. I also lost track for a moment. Perhaps because I hadn't remembered the content of the previous book? I did read it of course, but I've read many other books since then, so I didn't really recall what it was about. Why Alison Hartmann suddenly appeared in the story remained unclear to me. It felt more like: we're calling it a series, so let's also bring in Alison and Hope from book 1. In my opinion, it was unnecessary and confusing.
I thoroughly enjoyed most of the book, but from the moment it veered into crime, I found it significantly less enjoyable. All in all, though, it's still a good book.
December 31, 2025
There were things I actually thought would happen this the actress part is a main plot.. but they didn't. Anyways, it was alright.
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