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Ruthless Women
Ambition can be deadly... A sizzling erotic thriller set behind the scenes of a glamorous TV soap Falcon Bay was the world's most popular soap opera, filmed on location on a tiny, idyllic island off Jersey. But with ratings falling, a new network owner, the beautiful and malevolent Madeline Kane, arrives on the private island determined to do whatever it takes to get the show back to number one. Writer Farrah, star Catherine and producer Amanda are the driven, ambitious women who keep the show on the road. But Farrah is losing episodes to the network's lead male writer, Catherine is terrified of the public falling out of love with her and Amanda's evil husband Jake, vice president of the network, is plotting to get his wife kicked off the show. In a true battle of the sexes, these women will do anything to stay on top. But can they team up to bring down their rivals? Or will jealousy and revenge tear their friendship apart? As their story reaches its shocking climax, one thing is only the most ruthless woman will survive...
464 pages, Paperback
First published February 18, 2021
518 people are currently reading
1154 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 259 reviews
March 15, 2021
Literally the worst book I think I have ever read. I was suckered in after hearing the author talk about it on radio and decided to give it a shot. I made it to page 112 and I cannot continue with it. I am AMAZED to think this was written by a woman. It is fairly amateur writing at best, a potentially interesting premise...but it is completely ruined by the constant self appraisals of 50 something women staring at their own faces and obsessing over their wrinkles and past cosmetic procedures in detail, with exceedingly more desperate explanations of gravity defying, pert breasts, amazing nipples, fabulous clothing etc. etc. to try to justify the fact that women past 50 could still be *gasp* attractive. As if the only way this could be possible is if theyre squeezing themselves into couture and literally in excruciating pain but defying doctor's orders to stop wearing 6 inch heels. Add in the constant self serving sex scenes and shallow characters and it's genuinely not worth your time. I was committed to finishing it even after already throwing the towel in in terms of trying to like it because I so rarely buy myself new books and prefer second hand. But after the arrival of the new owner (early fifties but looks a decade younger due to FANTASTIC surgery) and the weirdest paragraph I have ever read; where the ex-head of the company (whose 'prize assets' are bigger than they used to be because they're brimming with milk...), the plucky actress-cum-director and the head of casting have a 'boob-off' sitting around a conference table as all the males in the room are fixated with the new owner's 'tiny waist and fabulous breasts' I just can't continue. I'm not one for reading this genre that often so maybe this is a stellar example within its peers, I have no idea. All I know is there have been only two instances where I couldn't finish a book in my 32 years on this rock, and this is unfortunately one of them. To the charity shop you go.
February 18, 2021
Ruthless Women is celebrity agent and author Melanie Blake's highly-anticipated second novel and an exposé of life in soap, that’s all too close to the truth. Inspired by real experiences and real people in a backstabbing and ever-bitchy part of the entertainment industry that Blake knows all too well, this is a drama-filled, outrageously fun read that will whisk you away from reality into a world of cutthroat dealings, fake smiles and enemies masquerading as friends. It goes behind the scenes of beloved TV drama ‘Falcon Bay’, beamed to millions three days a week from its picturesque location in the Channel Islands. But even in this beautiful coastal spot, tensions swirl. For thirty-nine years it has graced the screens and gathered almost a cult-like following, so when ratings begin to drastically plummet, the network consider pulling it from their programming. This uncertain future feeds into a dog-eat-dog attitude that begins to overwhelm the cast and crew as they fight for their livelihoods. Whereby there had once been at least some semblance of normality with a cast and crew who were supportive of one another, this has now disintegrated into an unspoken rule between all those employed on the soap — watch your back. The network plans an explosive and unforgettable fortieth anniversary celebration episode to remind fans exactly what they fell in love with in the first place and in the hopes of a stunning comeback, which manages to unite employees behind a single cause, at least for a while.
Loyalty, decency and trust are replaced by scandal, betrayal and a ruthless ambition to survive a battle of the sexes, and the dawn of a new era. Can the cast, crew, new American network and a woman at the helm save the sinking ship or will their newfound mistrust threaten to destroy every single one of them in the process? This is a compulsive, entertaining and outrageously wild read full of drama and toxicity but also some touching and emotional moments, too. Complete with one of the most crazy casts I've encountered outside of a Jackie Collins novel or Footballer's Wives cast, it pits men against women in an age-old battle over dominance and touches on the blight of misogyny. Full of powerful, independent women we are told the story from their perspectives and I understand the sequel will focus on the POV of the guys. There's a plethora of wicked sex scenes, ridiculous confrontations and backstage drama with long-standing friendships demolished, people's insecurities becoming increasingly weaponised and deep-seated rivalries rising to the top in almost every situation. There's a decent mix of likeable characters, unlikeable and absolutely detestable, each serving their role well and thoroughly engaging in their antics. It's no doubt an addictive, raucous and thoroughly riveting tale and the perfect beach read had we been able to take a holiday abroad. The epitome of a guilty pleasure, this is an unmissable, stand out read of the past few years. Highly recommended.
Loyalty, decency and trust are replaced by scandal, betrayal and a ruthless ambition to survive a battle of the sexes, and the dawn of a new era. Can the cast, crew, new American network and a woman at the helm save the sinking ship or will their newfound mistrust threaten to destroy every single one of them in the process? This is a compulsive, entertaining and outrageously wild read full of drama and toxicity but also some touching and emotional moments, too. Complete with one of the most crazy casts I've encountered outside of a Jackie Collins novel or Footballer's Wives cast, it pits men against women in an age-old battle over dominance and touches on the blight of misogyny. Full of powerful, independent women we are told the story from their perspectives and I understand the sequel will focus on the POV of the guys. There's a plethora of wicked sex scenes, ridiculous confrontations and backstage drama with long-standing friendships demolished, people's insecurities becoming increasingly weaponised and deep-seated rivalries rising to the top in almost every situation. There's a decent mix of likeable characters, unlikeable and absolutely detestable, each serving their role well and thoroughly engaging in their antics. It's no doubt an addictive, raucous and thoroughly riveting tale and the perfect beach read had we been able to take a holiday abroad. The epitome of a guilty pleasure, this is an unmissable, stand out read of the past few years. Highly recommended.
June 15, 2021
This book was a rollercoaster and I loved every second of it.
I bought this on a whim because I thought it looked really pretty so I didn't read any of the reviews beforehand.
Honestly, I'm glad I didn't because the reviews were such a mixed bag, I might have decided to skip it.
On the one hand, I can see why people wouldn't like it. If you prefer more serious or realistic stories with women being good friends to each other, having healthy relationships and meaningful conversations outside of sex and fashion, this isn't the book for you.
It should definitely come with trigger warnings since it contains mentions of sexual abuse, child grooming, drug use, domestic violence and abortion (just mentioned in passing but not as a part of the storyline).
On the other hand, if you're a fan of messy people, toxic relationships, betrayals, back-stabbing, plot twists taken right out of soap operas and the glamorous lives of the rich and/or famous, you'll love it.
Reading this book was like watching an episode of Sex and The City meets Days of Our Lives with a dash of The Real Housewives - just a glorious mess of the worst people at their best.
I couldn't put it down once I started reading - it was that addictive. I was rooting for all the characters and I loved seeing the ends they went to, to achieve their goals (except Farrah, I found her to be rather hypocritical and just could not get on board with her character).
I found the take on feminism in the book to be very interesting. The women were all trying to make it in a men's world which involved sometimes having to pander to men against their fellow women and friends while also getting upset at their friends for doing the same thing to them.
The villain plot twist didn't really wow me for some reason but I found the villain to be rather delightful either way.
I saw mentions of the book having very detailed sex scenes but - and maybe this is the avid fanfiction reader in me - the scenes seemed quite tame to me.
All in all, this was definitely a fun read and I'd recommend it if you're looking for something absolutely ridiculous but tons of fun.
I bought this on a whim because I thought it looked really pretty so I didn't read any of the reviews beforehand.
Honestly, I'm glad I didn't because the reviews were such a mixed bag, I might have decided to skip it.
On the one hand, I can see why people wouldn't like it. If you prefer more serious or realistic stories with women being good friends to each other, having healthy relationships and meaningful conversations outside of sex and fashion, this isn't the book for you.
It should definitely come with trigger warnings since it contains mentions of sexual abuse, child grooming, drug use, domestic violence and abortion (just mentioned in passing but not as a part of the storyline).
On the other hand, if you're a fan of messy people, toxic relationships, betrayals, back-stabbing, plot twists taken right out of soap operas and the glamorous lives of the rich and/or famous, you'll love it.
Reading this book was like watching an episode of Sex and The City meets Days of Our Lives with a dash of The Real Housewives - just a glorious mess of the worst people at their best.
I couldn't put it down once I started reading - it was that addictive. I was rooting for all the characters and I loved seeing the ends they went to, to achieve their goals (except Farrah, I found her to be rather hypocritical and just could not get on board with her character).
I found the take on feminism in the book to be very interesting. The women were all trying to make it in a men's world which involved sometimes having to pander to men against their fellow women and friends while also getting upset at their friends for doing the same thing to them.
The villain plot twist didn't really wow me for some reason but I found the villain to be rather delightful either way.
I saw mentions of the book having very detailed sex scenes but - and maybe this is the avid fanfiction reader in me - the scenes seemed quite tame to me.
All in all, this was definitely a fun read and I'd recommend it if you're looking for something absolutely ridiculous but tons of fun.
July 27, 2021
Ruthless Women is the my type of book I would read over again and again.
I’m so pleased that my favourite book is the Sunday Times bestseller and the hottest book of 2021. Over 100,000 copies have been sold.
Ruthless women going to be the most eagerly anticipated novel of 2021. It’s shocking, sexy and bursting with scandal. Ruthless Women is an erotically charged thriller set on an international TV soap, it takes readers on a wild ride behind the scenes of beloved TV drama Falcon Bay, beamed globally to millions three days a week from its picturesque location in the Channel Island. But even in this beautiful coastal spot, tension swirl. Once one of the world’s most popular soap operas, but now with ratings and syndication at an all-time low, the production has been sold to an American business woman, beautiful and malevolent Madeline Kane.
I loved reading Ruthless Women about ambition can be deadly and the fierce talk in the meeting room.
In meeting room 6 producers, writers and executives met daily to create and manage the stories designed to keep their millions of viewers tuned in to the soap opera Falcon Bay.
Arrogant Jake Monroe had been promoted to controller of the drama by the networks new owners. I would have been in tears if Jake spoke to me like this in aboard meeting. ‘ Is this it ?’ he asked, pointing at the board and meeting every person’s eyes one by one, sending shivers down their backs. ‘What’s the matter with you ? ‘ he growled.
READ IF YOU DARE HOW JAKE TALKS IN THE MEETING ! PART OF PAGE 7
Mousey girl, who was new and hadn’t been told that stillness was required when Jake’s mood turned, was trembling,clearly feeling even colder now she’s been shouted at. With shaking hands she slowly started tucking the wrap around herself, almost like a comfort blanket. This caught Jake’s eyes she raged on, his handsome face now almost pink with anger.
This is supposed to be the ” Creative Zone”, people,’ he yelled, using his fingers to make inverted commas in the air. ‘And none of you lazy fuckers are creating shit. No, actually, that’s not true. All of you are creating shit – shit that no one is watching’
As Mousey began tucking the last edge of the wrap under her leg, Jake could stand it no longer. He clicked his fingers and pointed at her. ‘ Get out ! You’re fired.’
I found the whole story fascinating as Ruthless Women is inspired by Melanie‘s behind the scenes knowledge of British Soap operas.
I’m so pleased that my favourite book is the Sunday Times bestseller and the hottest book of 2021. Over 100,000 copies have been sold.
Ruthless women going to be the most eagerly anticipated novel of 2021. It’s shocking, sexy and bursting with scandal. Ruthless Women is an erotically charged thriller set on an international TV soap, it takes readers on a wild ride behind the scenes of beloved TV drama Falcon Bay, beamed globally to millions three days a week from its picturesque location in the Channel Island. But even in this beautiful coastal spot, tension swirl. Once one of the world’s most popular soap operas, but now with ratings and syndication at an all-time low, the production has been sold to an American business woman, beautiful and malevolent Madeline Kane.
I loved reading Ruthless Women about ambition can be deadly and the fierce talk in the meeting room.
In meeting room 6 producers, writers and executives met daily to create and manage the stories designed to keep their millions of viewers tuned in to the soap opera Falcon Bay.
Arrogant Jake Monroe had been promoted to controller of the drama by the networks new owners. I would have been in tears if Jake spoke to me like this in aboard meeting. ‘ Is this it ?’ he asked, pointing at the board and meeting every person’s eyes one by one, sending shivers down their backs. ‘What’s the matter with you ? ‘ he growled.
READ IF YOU DARE HOW JAKE TALKS IN THE MEETING ! PART OF PAGE 7
Mousey girl, who was new and hadn’t been told that stillness was required when Jake’s mood turned, was trembling,clearly feeling even colder now she’s been shouted at. With shaking hands she slowly started tucking the wrap around herself, almost like a comfort blanket. This caught Jake’s eyes she raged on, his handsome face now almost pink with anger.
This is supposed to be the ” Creative Zone”, people,’ he yelled, using his fingers to make inverted commas in the air. ‘And none of you lazy fuckers are creating shit. No, actually, that’s not true. All of you are creating shit – shit that no one is watching’
As Mousey began tucking the last edge of the wrap under her leg, Jake could stand it no longer. He clicked his fingers and pointed at her. ‘ Get out ! You’re fired.’
I found the whole story fascinating as Ruthless Women is inspired by Melanie‘s behind the scenes knowledge of British Soap operas.
March 14, 2021
This was well manicured garbage. A Jackie Collins book has more substance than this steaming dog turd.
April 9, 2021
I’m still reeling from this book and I am still unsure if I enjoyed it or not. I found myself mocking it’s ridiculousness for the most part.
So firstly, this is advertised as a thriller and murder mystery, but it couldn’t be further from it. It is a trashy, unrealistic, soap opera in written form. With hyper unrealistic and over sexed up characters, each storyline is one of revenge.
The women in this series were the focal point, while men were merely there as supporting characters which was great from a feminist perspective.
The storyline provided insights into the world of soap and tv creation, it was such an overly dramatized concept.
So firstly, this is advertised as a thriller and murder mystery, but it couldn’t be further from it. It is a trashy, unrealistic, soap opera in written form. With hyper unrealistic and over sexed up characters, each storyline is one of revenge.
The women in this series were the focal point, while men were merely there as supporting characters which was great from a feminist perspective.
The storyline provided insights into the world of soap and tv creation, it was such an overly dramatized concept.
February 16, 2021
Feminist-prone RUTHLESS WOMEN (2021, Head of Zeus) by British author Melanie Blake offers a yummy premise: to save a long-running world-wide syndicated soap opera from being cancelled...
https://sleaze-factor.blogspot.com/20...
https://sleaze-factor.blogspot.com/20...
July 5, 2021
Described by one as a thriller, but for me, a thriller it was not.
Glitzy , glamorous and ruthless.... yes. With a tiny smattering of sexy scenes.
I'm not a lover of scenes that includes drug use as the norm.
All became a little boring towards the end.
Glitzy , glamorous and ruthless.... yes. With a tiny smattering of sexy scenes.
I'm not a lover of scenes that includes drug use as the norm.
All became a little boring towards the end.
April 8, 2021
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
‘Good luck with your new leading lady, girls – you’re gonna need it.’ She set her glad down ready to go and collect Catherine when the scene ended. ‘Because that is one ruthless woman,’ she said and exited The Cove.’
Take a glamourous trip behind the scenes of a notorious long running television series, thanks to the latest contemporary fiction title from Melanie Blake. Ruthless Women takes a candid look at the entertainment industry, with particular attention to those who work both on and behind the scenes. The celebrity world is exposed, with particular attention to the cutthroat soap opera business. Ruthless Women is a shocking and surprising tale.
Ruthless Women follows the dynamic fictional television drama series Falcon Bay, a soap opera that has endured over a number of years. Set on the picturesque island of Jersey, this once highly popular series has seen a recent decrease in viewers. The attached network executives are desperate to keep the cameras rolling on their long running soap. With a wicked new owner on board, changes are set for this enduring soap opera. These adjustments are cutting and thoughtless, with all decisions aimed at putting Falcon Bay back on the top of the ratings. With plenty of tension coming from the writers, stars, agents and producers of the series, it is clear that it takes a very merciless type to keep Falcon Bay running. Gender issues and relationships also come into play as the show rolls on. Ruthless Women exposes the unspeakable acts that those in the entertainment industry are prepared to go to in order to maintain their position on top.
Beginning her career at the BBC, author Melanie Blake has years of industry experience. Working on well known British soaps such as Coronation Street and managing clients in the entertainment industry, has allowed this talent specialist to merge her work experience into her novels. Publishing Thunder Girls in 2019 and now Ruthless Women has seen Melanie Blake conquer the writing world with her vast industry experience.
There was a definite sense of nostalgia for me personally when I read this book. I spent my teen years in Britain, struggling as a young Australian girl to understand the British public’s sheer fascination and obsession for soap operas. I often felt very disconnected to my peers who revolved their lives around the screening of long running soap dramas such as EastEnders, Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Brookside. Ruthless Women exposes this soap drama world and it is a direct nod to the industry as a whole. I couldn’t fault the insider knowledge and first hand understanding of this dog-eat-dog world, thanks to the many years of experience utilised by the author in her novel. There was definitely a strong air of authenticity to Ruthless Women.
Ruthless Women exposes some current themes such as gender inequality, employment conditions, substance abuse, sexual relations, ageing, social media, alliances, friendships and marriage. Power is the ruling device of this novel and everyone is out to be at the top of the game, no matter what it takes. It is quite barbaric at times, but I feel that Ruthless Women takes a accurate glance at the screen industry. It does make for an eye opening and salacious read. On the other hand, Melanie Blake does infuse some erotica into her book. This wasn’t to my tastes personally, but it may appeal to the Jackie Collins or Jilly Cooper fans out there.
With plenty of twists, shocks, surprises and revealing moments, Ruthless Women is a scintillating read, that takes a very candid look at the entertainment industry.
*Thanks extended to Harper Collins Australia/DMCPR Media for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
‘Good luck with your new leading lady, girls – you’re gonna need it.’ She set her glad down ready to go and collect Catherine when the scene ended. ‘Because that is one ruthless woman,’ she said and exited The Cove.’
Take a glamourous trip behind the scenes of a notorious long running television series, thanks to the latest contemporary fiction title from Melanie Blake. Ruthless Women takes a candid look at the entertainment industry, with particular attention to those who work both on and behind the scenes. The celebrity world is exposed, with particular attention to the cutthroat soap opera business. Ruthless Women is a shocking and surprising tale.
Ruthless Women follows the dynamic fictional television drama series Falcon Bay, a soap opera that has endured over a number of years. Set on the picturesque island of Jersey, this once highly popular series has seen a recent decrease in viewers. The attached network executives are desperate to keep the cameras rolling on their long running soap. With a wicked new owner on board, changes are set for this enduring soap opera. These adjustments are cutting and thoughtless, with all decisions aimed at putting Falcon Bay back on the top of the ratings. With plenty of tension coming from the writers, stars, agents and producers of the series, it is clear that it takes a very merciless type to keep Falcon Bay running. Gender issues and relationships also come into play as the show rolls on. Ruthless Women exposes the unspeakable acts that those in the entertainment industry are prepared to go to in order to maintain their position on top.
Beginning her career at the BBC, author Melanie Blake has years of industry experience. Working on well known British soaps such as Coronation Street and managing clients in the entertainment industry, has allowed this talent specialist to merge her work experience into her novels. Publishing Thunder Girls in 2019 and now Ruthless Women has seen Melanie Blake conquer the writing world with her vast industry experience.
There was a definite sense of nostalgia for me personally when I read this book. I spent my teen years in Britain, struggling as a young Australian girl to understand the British public’s sheer fascination and obsession for soap operas. I often felt very disconnected to my peers who revolved their lives around the screening of long running soap dramas such as EastEnders, Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Brookside. Ruthless Women exposes this soap drama world and it is a direct nod to the industry as a whole. I couldn’t fault the insider knowledge and first hand understanding of this dog-eat-dog world, thanks to the many years of experience utilised by the author in her novel. There was definitely a strong air of authenticity to Ruthless Women.
Ruthless Women exposes some current themes such as gender inequality, employment conditions, substance abuse, sexual relations, ageing, social media, alliances, friendships and marriage. Power is the ruling device of this novel and everyone is out to be at the top of the game, no matter what it takes. It is quite barbaric at times, but I feel that Ruthless Women takes a accurate glance at the screen industry. It does make for an eye opening and salacious read. On the other hand, Melanie Blake does infuse some erotica into her book. This wasn’t to my tastes personally, but it may appeal to the Jackie Collins or Jilly Cooper fans out there.
With plenty of twists, shocks, surprises and revealing moments, Ruthless Women is a scintillating read, that takes a very candid look at the entertainment industry.
*Thanks extended to Harper Collins Australia/DMCPR Media for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
December 31, 2020
Wow.. utterly speechless... adrenaline pumping... couldn't put this down... what an ending... more please!
Well those are a few of my initial thoughts just minutes after finishing this spectacular book. I knew from The Thunder Girls that Melanie Blake was clearly a good author, but had been a bit worried whether that was a one off or not, rest assured it wasn.t this was even better.
My only regret with this book was that I wasn't reading it somewhere hot and exotic as it epitomises everything I absolutely adore in a holiday beach read. Strong women that know what they want, as many twists and shocks as you can squeeze into the pages, a huge cast of characters, some bad boys and just absolutely no way to predict the final outcome (at least not more than a page or two before it happens).
I was taken on such a rollercoaster of a journey with these characters, I absolutely adored this behind the scenes look at the world of soap opera, and with the sort of soap that made me think more of Neighbours or possibly Home and Away (given they both feature Bays) than of the grittier British soaps, I felt right at home.
There are a group of women who are in theory friends although some of the backstabbing makes you wonder how much they really are out for themselves instead. We have the leading lady, the casting director, writer and director, one of the executives and an agent as the key players in this, all whose lives get thrown into disarray when Madeline buys the network and starts trying to call the shots with the aim of making Falcon Bay great again.
This really is my absolute favourite type of book to read, although I find not that many of these sorts of sexy thriller / blockbuster-esque books are published anymore which is a shame, It took perhaps until the end of the first chapter to full capture my attention at which point I was completely hooked.
I read it in two sittings and that is only because my eyes were getting tired at 3am, and wanted to be alert to continue reading, suspecting the last 20% or so would be explosive, and wow that was a good decision. Woke up the following morning, grabbed my kindle and didn't enter the real world again until I was finished reading.
This is addictive, compulsive reading at its very best, and I feel the book would make a wonderful blockbuster movie too. It's complex, its pure unadulterated escapist reading and I couldn't get enough of it. Even having turned the last page I am wanting more. I need more, whether it be more from Falcon Bay, or just praying that we don't have too long to wait for another gem from Melanie Blake - I'd be happy either way.
Easily one of my books of the year!
Thank you to Head of Zeus and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Well those are a few of my initial thoughts just minutes after finishing this spectacular book. I knew from The Thunder Girls that Melanie Blake was clearly a good author, but had been a bit worried whether that was a one off or not, rest assured it wasn.t this was even better.
My only regret with this book was that I wasn't reading it somewhere hot and exotic as it epitomises everything I absolutely adore in a holiday beach read. Strong women that know what they want, as many twists and shocks as you can squeeze into the pages, a huge cast of characters, some bad boys and just absolutely no way to predict the final outcome (at least not more than a page or two before it happens).
I was taken on such a rollercoaster of a journey with these characters, I absolutely adored this behind the scenes look at the world of soap opera, and with the sort of soap that made me think more of Neighbours or possibly Home and Away (given they both feature Bays) than of the grittier British soaps, I felt right at home.
There are a group of women who are in theory friends although some of the backstabbing makes you wonder how much they really are out for themselves instead. We have the leading lady, the casting director, writer and director, one of the executives and an agent as the key players in this, all whose lives get thrown into disarray when Madeline buys the network and starts trying to call the shots with the aim of making Falcon Bay great again.
This really is my absolute favourite type of book to read, although I find not that many of these sorts of sexy thriller / blockbuster-esque books are published anymore which is a shame, It took perhaps until the end of the first chapter to full capture my attention at which point I was completely hooked.
I read it in two sittings and that is only because my eyes were getting tired at 3am, and wanted to be alert to continue reading, suspecting the last 20% or so would be explosive, and wow that was a good decision. Woke up the following morning, grabbed my kindle and didn't enter the real world again until I was finished reading.
This is addictive, compulsive reading at its very best, and I feel the book would make a wonderful blockbuster movie too. It's complex, its pure unadulterated escapist reading and I couldn't get enough of it. Even having turned the last page I am wanting more. I need more, whether it be more from Falcon Bay, or just praying that we don't have too long to wait for another gem from Melanie Blake - I'd be happy either way.
Easily one of my books of the year!
Thank you to Head of Zeus and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
August 17, 2021
The most sexist book I’ve ever read written by a woman. In this book a woman cannot walk past without her breasts and legs being described - before her personality. And obviously past 40 plastic surgery is a woman’s only hope. The way the women in this book obsess over looking better than those around them and how the only way is surgery is repetitive and boring as well as untrue.
The blurb made it seem like eventually the women would come together and team up on the horrific men (for example a man who pushes his pregnant wife out of her job) but no! They instead shrug and go - oh it’s a mans world and choose to cat fight each other. I tried but I couldn’t read the last 100 pages. If it does a 180 it was too little too late for me. If I had to read one more page of a woman throwing her close friend under the bus for personal gain I was gunna be sick.
The blurb made it seem like eventually the women would come together and team up on the horrific men (for example a man who pushes his pregnant wife out of her job) but no! They instead shrug and go - oh it’s a mans world and choose to cat fight each other. I tried but I couldn’t read the last 100 pages. If it does a 180 it was too little too late for me. If I had to read one more page of a woman throwing her close friend under the bus for personal gain I was gunna be sick.
April 20, 2021
Absolutely dire.
I can not believe the Sunday Times and Times recommendations.
Truly dreadful unbelievable stereotypes and a ridiculous plot.
I got bored after a several chapters, but decided to see it through to the 'shocking twist '
How I wish I had gone with my original gut feeling and sent it back to the cloud.
What a waste of my time
I can not believe the Sunday Times and Times recommendations.
Truly dreadful unbelievable stereotypes and a ridiculous plot.
I got bored after a several chapters, but decided to see it through to the 'shocking twist '
How I wish I had gone with my original gut feeling and sent it back to the cloud.
What a waste of my time
April 26, 2022
If ever there was a book that was made to be a TV drama this is it! As a teenager in the 80’s this was a modern nod to the bonkbusters that graced our bookshelves and television sets. Remembering with fond nostalgia Lace and Dynasty and the character dynamics between the ruling bitches, this had characters that would destroy the competition and win any ratings war come hell or high water.
Packed with more plastic surgery than Harley Street these women will do whatever it takes to stay current. Like any soap opera (sorry continuing drama) this has a vast cast and crew and more drama off set than on it. Helpfully there was a Meet the players section that listed all the major characters and their traits, but within a few chapters they were easily distinguishable and I knew who I liked and definitely who I didn’t. It also made a refreshing change to read about people my age and older rather than the fresh faced twenty year olds that seems to be the norm for most main characters. Even though they did seem to be less at ease with the ageing process than I am, but then I’m not a star being hounded by the paparazzi. Well not this week anyway!
Ruthless Women captures the murky side of being a celebrity especially when they have fallen from grace. Powerful men who repeatedly take advantage had me furious at their behaviour and also at the women that allowed it to happen to stay in their favour. Integrity seemed to be lost on the majority of them. It was also a little lost on me as when the tables were turned I was worryingly happy about it.
The beautiful setting of St Augustine’s, Jersey was a far cry from the dirty behaviour and this book takes cutthroat right from it’s first sacking of poor Mouse and runs with it. However, it was the behind the scenes settings of the writers room and the casting office (yes there is a couch and yes it does happen) that gave more insight and meaning to the book’s title.
I had nothing but fun reading this even though I did want a shower afterwards from feeling grubby at their antics. I’m just glad I’m growing old disgracefully and surgery free.
Packed with more plastic surgery than Harley Street these women will do whatever it takes to stay current. Like any soap opera (sorry continuing drama) this has a vast cast and crew and more drama off set than on it. Helpfully there was a Meet the players section that listed all the major characters and their traits, but within a few chapters they were easily distinguishable and I knew who I liked and definitely who I didn’t. It also made a refreshing change to read about people my age and older rather than the fresh faced twenty year olds that seems to be the norm for most main characters. Even though they did seem to be less at ease with the ageing process than I am, but then I’m not a star being hounded by the paparazzi. Well not this week anyway!
Ruthless Women captures the murky side of being a celebrity especially when they have fallen from grace. Powerful men who repeatedly take advantage had me furious at their behaviour and also at the women that allowed it to happen to stay in their favour. Integrity seemed to be lost on the majority of them. It was also a little lost on me as when the tables were turned I was worryingly happy about it.
The beautiful setting of St Augustine’s, Jersey was a far cry from the dirty behaviour and this book takes cutthroat right from it’s first sacking of poor Mouse and runs with it. However, it was the behind the scenes settings of the writers room and the casting office (yes there is a couch and yes it does happen) that gave more insight and meaning to the book’s title.
I had nothing but fun reading this even though I did want a shower afterwards from feeling grubby at their antics. I’m just glad I’m growing old disgracefully and surgery free.
March 8, 2021
This was an impulse buy from a local supermarket, and to be honest, I didn’t expect to like this book as much as I did. My edition has red-stained edges, which look great when combined with the dust jacket. Not getting into any spoilers here, but Jesus, the ending was freaking INTENSE.
April 10, 2021
If you devoured Jackie Collins and Jilly Cooper novels back in the day, you’re going to absolutely love Ruthless Women. It’s a throwback to the ‘bonkbuster’ novels of the 80s and 90s, with a large cast of attractive, driven men and women all sleeping with people they shouldn’t be, drinking champagne and a fair few of them doing drugs as well, as they manipulate their way through life. With the almost too on-to-nose setting of a popular soap opera’s cast and crew, actors and writers more than willing to stab each other in the back to get ahead, it’s both hilariously over the top - something even the characters themselves note at times, their reaction to the major character being eaten by a shark plot was screamingly funny - and also extremely believable. Honestly, with the author being an agent to many real-life soap stars, I absolutely believe she’s seen more scandals than a lot of us have had hot dinners, many of them just too salacious and incredible even for fiction.
While for sheer number and variety of sex scenes this rivals any of those old-school blockbusters, all of them are fairly short and not all that explicit. It’s not going to be a novel with the pages dog-eared so you can share the naughty bits with your friends (come on, we all knew where those bits were in Riders or Lace). It’s going to appeal to those of us who were reading those books back in the day in particular, though, because of something that does set it apart from them; none of the strong women featured are twenty or even thirty-somethings. The youngest of them is in her forties; several are in their fifties, one is seventy and utterly unashamed of her sexuality.
It’s unashamedly over-the-top, everyone is as beautifully manicured as on an episode of Real Housewives and just as bitchy. The only thing I thought it lacked was a real ‘central heroine’ to root for, though Amanda comes close, we don’t get quite enough in her POV. There was an inaccuracy about female fertility which bugged me too; as someone who’s been through IVF, it definitely isn’t a fix for failure to carry to term. IVF helps you get pregnant when you couldn’t, not stay pregnant. It wouldn’t have helped Amanda with her issue.
Despite these flaws, I honestly loved the book, for its fantasy, escapism, and the wonderful depiction of fierce and fabulous women ruling their queendoms well into middle and later life. I’ll give it five stars and I’d love to read more by this author.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this title via the author’s representative.
While for sheer number and variety of sex scenes this rivals any of those old-school blockbusters, all of them are fairly short and not all that explicit. It’s not going to be a novel with the pages dog-eared so you can share the naughty bits with your friends (come on, we all knew where those bits were in Riders or Lace). It’s going to appeal to those of us who were reading those books back in the day in particular, though, because of something that does set it apart from them; none of the strong women featured are twenty or even thirty-somethings. The youngest of them is in her forties; several are in their fifties, one is seventy and utterly unashamed of her sexuality.
It’s unashamedly over-the-top, everyone is as beautifully manicured as on an episode of Real Housewives and just as bitchy. The only thing I thought it lacked was a real ‘central heroine’ to root for, though Amanda comes close, we don’t get quite enough in her POV. There was an inaccuracy about female fertility which bugged me too; as someone who’s been through IVF, it definitely isn’t a fix for failure to carry to term. IVF helps you get pregnant when you couldn’t, not stay pregnant. It wouldn’t have helped Amanda with her issue.
Despite these flaws, I honestly loved the book, for its fantasy, escapism, and the wonderful depiction of fierce and fabulous women ruling their queendoms well into middle and later life. I’ll give it five stars and I’d love to read more by this author.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this title via the author’s representative.
March 8, 2022
Oh my days, this book was just a hot steamy backstabbing 400 pages of wow!!!
When I started the book, there were a lot of characters to keep track of; there was a handy list of characters at the front. I was listening to the audiobook, so it took a while to remember who was who, but I made notes.
This book has sizzle, sass, and a lot of steam flying through the pages. This book reminded me a bit of Footballer’s Wives, with all the audacious behaviour, and I LOVED it all! It is everything you wish was going on behind the scenes of a tv set.
I thought all the characters had their own flaws, and there were some who were despicable with no likeable features. Although one character I loved and hope is okay was Honey. I must admit, I am worried about her! That chilling line at the end of one of the chapters, wowzers it had me worry.
This book completely lives up to its namesake! These women ARE ruthless; they will stop at nothing to get what they each want. Although this book is about women, from a woman’s point of view, it is still featured very heavily around the men. How the men still control everything, but one thing is for sure you never cross any of these women!!!!!!
Oh, the steam in this book! It is hot under the collar bonkbuster. There were a lot of steamy scenes, and wow, luckily, no one could hear my audiobook. Strewth!
I hope there is a second book because a few storylines were left open, and I would love to go back to Falcon Bay, especially after that EXPLOSIVE ending. I mean, wwwwhhhhhhaaaaaaattttttttttttttt god please write another one!!!!! (Update I found out there is a new book in April yay!)
This book is most definitely one of my favourite books this year already! I just loved it; I was hooked. I loved the drama and scandal. The behind-the-scenes look into a tv set, and obviously, so much must have been glamorised, but you do wonder how much of this has been done! And who doesn’t love a scandal that involves noise activating blinds? Oh, I loved that scene!!
Oh, I am a HUGE new fan of Melanie’s, and I can’t wait to read something else by her. I am quite giddy at the thought!
When I started the book, there were a lot of characters to keep track of; there was a handy list of characters at the front. I was listening to the audiobook, so it took a while to remember who was who, but I made notes.
This book has sizzle, sass, and a lot of steam flying through the pages. This book reminded me a bit of Footballer’s Wives, with all the audacious behaviour, and I LOVED it all! It is everything you wish was going on behind the scenes of a tv set.
I thought all the characters had their own flaws, and there were some who were despicable with no likeable features. Although one character I loved and hope is okay was Honey. I must admit, I am worried about her! That chilling line at the end of one of the chapters, wowzers it had me worry.
This book completely lives up to its namesake! These women ARE ruthless; they will stop at nothing to get what they each want. Although this book is about women, from a woman’s point of view, it is still featured very heavily around the men. How the men still control everything, but one thing is for sure you never cross any of these women!!!!!!
Oh, the steam in this book! It is hot under the collar bonkbuster. There were a lot of steamy scenes, and wow, luckily, no one could hear my audiobook. Strewth!
I hope there is a second book because a few storylines were left open, and I would love to go back to Falcon Bay, especially after that EXPLOSIVE ending. I mean, wwwwhhhhhhaaaaaaattttttttttttttt god please write another one!!!!! (Update I found out there is a new book in April yay!)
This book is most definitely one of my favourite books this year already! I just loved it; I was hooked. I loved the drama and scandal. The behind-the-scenes look into a tv set, and obviously, so much must have been glamorised, but you do wonder how much of this has been done! And who doesn’t love a scandal that involves noise activating blinds? Oh, I loved that scene!!
Oh, I am a HUGE new fan of Melanie’s, and I can’t wait to read something else by her. I am quite giddy at the thought!
May 19, 2021
This was like a blast from the past. I loved Jilly Cooper and Jackie Collins books in the 80's and this totally reminded me of those.
Sex, sex and more sex. 😂
Maybe I'm just too old, but it's 2021 and I'm sad to say, this is not my thing anymore.
Sex, sex and more sex. 😂
Maybe I'm just too old, but it's 2021 and I'm sad to say, this is not my thing anymore.
January 15, 2024
What have I just read 😅. Terrible. Just terrible.
February 11, 2021
It’s been quite a while since I was glued to the pages of a book in quite the way I was to Ruthless Women. In fact, I can go back to the 1980s, when I was a teenager and my friends and I were passing around copies of Judith Krantz, Jackie Collins and Shirley Conran novels in the Sixth Form common room with the page corners turned down at the really juicy bits. (Do you remember THAT scene in Lace? We were agog!) Those books, filled with strong, glamorous and bitchy women, ruthless men and settings that were well beyond the experience of a Yorkshire teenager whose parents hated to fly, were a window onto an exciting and unbelievable world and, in Ruthless Women, Melanie Blake has taken the ‘bonkbuster’ and brought it right up to date.
The book is set in the world of a long-running TV soap opera. Falcon Bay was once the most popular soap in the world, but ratings have been slipping and, when the network is bought out by an American production company, the new owners are determined to reverse the slide, whatever it takes. The main women involved in the show, the ageing star, ambitious young director, talent booker and demoted producer, are hoping that having a woman in charge might alter the misogynistic atmosphere on the soap that keeps them from achieving their goals, but it turns out that the new alpha female might not be the ally they were hoping for.
This book pulls no punches in the storyline and is unashamedly outrageous. Sex, drugs, rows, double-crossing, secrets, lies, adultery – it’s all here in glorious technicolour and keeps the plot high octane from start to finish. The plot is way, way, way over the top, just like all of the fantastic blockbuster novels used to be, and this is what makes it such magnificent, escapist fun. If you really want to be transported from this terribly tedious, mundane lockdown world, this is the book to do it. You can lose yourself in a total fantasy world, although maybe some of this stuff actually happens, as the author works in this world and knows what goes on, and experience things that will never happen in real life to a middle-aged mum from Yorkshire. I loved it for the exact same reasons as I loved those bonkbuster novels I devoured in my teens.
What is really great about this book though, is that the women are centre stage and the men are in the supporting roles. The women are there for each other, female empowerment and female friendship, as well as rivalry, are driving the plot, and they don’t need the men to succeed. Despite some of the cat fighting and other shenanigans that goes on between the characters, female relationships and the power of women working together are what drives the plot of this book, and I adored that about it. The best of these types of books were always about strong, empowered women and this is why women love reading them, as beautifully described in this recent article.
I raced through the pages of Ruthless Women as fast as I could go, barely pausing for breath. Yes, the plot is OTT, yes all the women are impossibly beautiful, yes the men are rats. This is not real life as most of us know it, but that is the entire point. This is wonderful, escapist fun. There are shocks, bigger shocks, unbelievable shocks and just the most outrageous shocks that you could never see coming. This book keeps giving you more and more things that will leave you open-mouthed and delighted. This is the glorious resurrection of the bonkbuster, and I revelled in every minute of it. I had a brief Twitter exchange with the author yesterday, when she told me how much she had enjoyed writing the book and this shows clearly in the writing. Almost as much as I enjoyed reading it. With glee, would be the phrase I used. I loved it, loved it, loved it. I’ve immediately ordered The Thunder Girls to get another fix. Read it now.
The book is set in the world of a long-running TV soap opera. Falcon Bay was once the most popular soap in the world, but ratings have been slipping and, when the network is bought out by an American production company, the new owners are determined to reverse the slide, whatever it takes. The main women involved in the show, the ageing star, ambitious young director, talent booker and demoted producer, are hoping that having a woman in charge might alter the misogynistic atmosphere on the soap that keeps them from achieving their goals, but it turns out that the new alpha female might not be the ally they were hoping for.
This book pulls no punches in the storyline and is unashamedly outrageous. Sex, drugs, rows, double-crossing, secrets, lies, adultery – it’s all here in glorious technicolour and keeps the plot high octane from start to finish. The plot is way, way, way over the top, just like all of the fantastic blockbuster novels used to be, and this is what makes it such magnificent, escapist fun. If you really want to be transported from this terribly tedious, mundane lockdown world, this is the book to do it. You can lose yourself in a total fantasy world, although maybe some of this stuff actually happens, as the author works in this world and knows what goes on, and experience things that will never happen in real life to a middle-aged mum from Yorkshire. I loved it for the exact same reasons as I loved those bonkbuster novels I devoured in my teens.
What is really great about this book though, is that the women are centre stage and the men are in the supporting roles. The women are there for each other, female empowerment and female friendship, as well as rivalry, are driving the plot, and they don’t need the men to succeed. Despite some of the cat fighting and other shenanigans that goes on between the characters, female relationships and the power of women working together are what drives the plot of this book, and I adored that about it. The best of these types of books were always about strong, empowered women and this is why women love reading them, as beautifully described in this recent article.
I raced through the pages of Ruthless Women as fast as I could go, barely pausing for breath. Yes, the plot is OTT, yes all the women are impossibly beautiful, yes the men are rats. This is not real life as most of us know it, but that is the entire point. This is wonderful, escapist fun. There are shocks, bigger shocks, unbelievable shocks and just the most outrageous shocks that you could never see coming. This book keeps giving you more and more things that will leave you open-mouthed and delighted. This is the glorious resurrection of the bonkbuster, and I revelled in every minute of it. I had a brief Twitter exchange with the author yesterday, when she told me how much she had enjoyed writing the book and this shows clearly in the writing. Almost as much as I enjoyed reading it. With glee, would be the phrase I used. I loved it, loved it, loved it. I’ve immediately ordered The Thunder Girls to get another fix. Read it now.
May 29, 2021
Well considering the amount of reviews i was expecting more from this. I just found it annoying. There were a lot of people and we were expected to remember who was doing who and when. Plus these women seemed to never have their legs closed. I just couldn't get interested in it and found that my attention was drifting through out.
July 28, 2021
I’ve just finished listening to the audiobook of this.
I felt like I was listening to an awful 80’s bonkbuster, written to compete with Jackie Collin’s. I was a little amazed that the author was female - it’s often a running joke that male authors like to write women as constantly admiring their own bodies and describing the boobs with daft, flouncy words. So it’s surprising to see a female author doing it.
The second scenes were a bit like reading 50 Shades - ott and very unsexy!
And the casually stolen post it from Sex and the City?! ‘I’m Sorry. I Can’t. Don’t Hate Me’? She didn’t even try to change it and make it her own!!
Definitely an author to avoid and if you are considering this book, don’t!
I felt like I was listening to an awful 80’s bonkbuster, written to compete with Jackie Collin’s. I was a little amazed that the author was female - it’s often a running joke that male authors like to write women as constantly admiring their own bodies and describing the boobs with daft, flouncy words. So it’s surprising to see a female author doing it.
The second scenes were a bit like reading 50 Shades - ott and very unsexy!
And the casually stolen post it from Sex and the City?! ‘I’m Sorry. I Can’t. Don’t Hate Me’? She didn’t even try to change it and make it her own!!
Definitely an author to avoid and if you are considering this book, don’t!
September 25, 2025
2.5
See oli küll midagi hoopis muud kui ootasin. Ja mitte just meeldivas suunas. Eeldasin kelmikat krimkat seebiooperi maailmas, kuid sain Jackie Collinsi ja/või Jilly Cooperi. Kaks autorit, kelle loomingut ma mitte grammigi ei suuda seedida -- no ei ole nende pakutu minu stiil ega arusaam väärt naistekatest. Antud raamatus oli tegu põhimõtteliselt hunniku naiste omavaheliste jagelemisega, kuhu vahepeal pahaaimamatult eksisid mehed, kes enamuses jäid mingi hetk vastassoo teerulli alla (mõned teenitult, mõned mitte). Oleks siis vähemalt olnud võimalik naistele kaasa elada, kuid nad olid suuresti nii ebasümpaatsed (mehed, muidugi, ka) või kuidagi lapsikud või lihtsalt kuulsuse maailmasse kogu oma pahedega uppunud, et mul ei olnud eriti kellelegi pöidlaid hoida. B*tchid, noh. Mul tõesti ei tekkinud tahtmist pöidlaid hoia inimestele, kes kümne küünega hoiavad oma kustunud või haihtuvast tähesärast kinni, kuid tegelikult võiksid lihtsalt päris tööle minna ja lõpetada enda tähtsustamise. Isegi n-ö tavalisemad naistegelased mõjusid kuidagi vastumeelselt oma allaheitlikkusega ja halbade abikaasade/armukeste valikutega. Tüütu ja null empaatiat mu poolt. Seltskond ei suutnud minuga kontakti luua või mind hoolima panna oma eneseimetlejalikult glamuursest elust. Laip ilmus ka alles täitsa lõpus välja ja vot selle aset leidmine oli küll juba paroodia killast ning puhas absurdiseebikas. Mis oli üldse loo žanr? Komöödia, krimka, draama, tragöödia, farss...? Kui tõsiselt võis seda võtta? Mitte väga, vist.
Mis eriti kõrva/silma riivas oli pidev seks -- sihitu, eksponeeriv, midagi tõestada püüdev ja sisutühi seks. Ainuüksi esimese 50 lehekülje juures oli vaja taluda kahte seksinäljas naist, kes ratsutavad kellegi seljas või siis kasutavad vibraatoreid enda noorpõlve pornot vaadates. Ja üks krõbistab rahustit ennast rahuldades... Okei, äkki oli see ainult alguse asi, et aidata luua Hollywoodilikku fooni ja teema tõmbab end nüüd tagasi. Ei, neid tuli veel ja veel. Oleks siis, et värvikatel vahekorda demonstreerivatel seikadel oleks mingi konkreetne süžeeline eesmärk, kuid kohati tundus, et ainus siht oli näidata, et 50+ naised võivad olla täpselt sama seksihullud kui mehed. Ma tõesti ei saanud aru miks koguaeg kellegi treimist kirjeldada, kusjuures pikalt ja detailselt, mitte põgusalt või möödaminnes. No ei paelu vahekordadest lokkavat teksti lugeda -- hakkan vist vanaks jääma. Siis ajas närvi konstantne ilulõikuste jutt, rindade võrdlus ja kehade kirjeldus. Mitte meestel, vaid naistel. Ja kuidas kõik pidevalt kellegi rindasid jõllitasid ja seda üksikasjalikult tekstis jutustati ning, kuidas mingi võistlus käis selle üle kellel vingem partii. Võib-olla meelelahutussektoris muule ei mõeldagi -- üpris tõenäoline, kuid öökima ajav, kui sellest 400 lehekülge lugeda.
Kas lugu toimus ikka tänapäeval? Viidati küll MeToo liikumisele, kuid tundus, et kogu asi leiab aset nt 70ndatel või 80ndatel, kus seriaalinduse maailmas tundus lokkavat šovinism, seksism ja machoism. Käperdamine ei olnud midagi ülearu skandaalset ning kõik magasid kõigiga. Ma ei tuvastanud, aga mitte midagi, mis viitaks sellele, et aeg oleks päriselt kuidagi edasi liikunud või kuulsuste töökeskkond kuidagi paranenud. Pidevalt karjutakse ju võrdõiguslikkusest ja staarikesed on vähemalt sotsiaalmeedias vooruse verstapostid, kuid selle romaani põhjal, ei ole Hollywoodis midagi muutunud. Tülgastav ja ajuvaba ning mitte sentigi ei jäänud uskuma, et tegevus leiab aset nüüdisajal. Samas, võib-olla olen tõesti naiivne ja sõge on eeldada, et meelelahutusmaailmas midagigi teistmoodi on. Jah, naised olid loos ka produtsendid ja lavastajad, kuid koheldi neid ikkagi kuidagi teisejärgulisena, eelistades alati mehi. Isegi naised ise. Selles suhtes oli, aga vaevatu kaasa tunda ja ei olnud üldse keeruline naiste murest aru saada. Mitmed märkimisväärsed otsused tehti lihtsalt selle alusel, et kes on mees ja kes mitte. Võitis üldiselt mees just oma soo pärast. Mingi hetk sai villanud lugeda seksimist, mis nõrgus igast lausest, fraasist ja sõnast. Autor ise ka vist ei saanud aru, et oma "male gaze" kirjelduskasutusega, ta aina võimendas naiste objektistumist. Ehk oligi see vägagi teadlik ja tahtlik...?
Vaatamata kõigele, mis mulle pinda käis, mingi hetk avastasin, et intriigide rägastik oli mind enesesse naelutanud ja suutsin omajagu kogu seda ülevõlli ja totakat tohuvabaohu mingi kraadini täitsa nautida. Jäi ebaselgeks, kas menuseriaalide maailm ongi tänapäeval jätkuvalt niivõrd diskimineeriv igas suunas ning õhustik ja olukorrad, millest sai loetud, on tegelikult ikkagi rohkemal või vähemal määral realistlikud. Ei oska seisukohta võtta, sest kohati oli toimuv nii ogar ja uskumatu, et võib lausa tõsi olla või siis tõesti täielik ülepaisutatud fiktsioon. Kuidas see jant lõppeb, kõik sisuliinid kokku jooksevad ning kokku tõmmatakse oli vast kõige põnevam aspekt. Tuli ette üpris ootamatuid lahendusi, mis oma ettenägematusega positiivselt mõjusid. Lool oli puänt, et miks ikkagi seriaali endale ostnud imekaunis rikkur tolle naistöötajaid niimoodi kiusas ja mõnitas. Seletus oli natuke ebatõenäoline, kuid toimis kuidagi asjakohaselt ja sobib nagu rusikas silmaauku. Kui ainult see mõrv ei oleks niivõrd idiootne välja kukkunud. Eks see oli ka tahtlik, kuid natuke rikuti sinnani sidusalt ja sujuvalt toiminud lõpusirge ära.
Igatahes, oeh, kui mitmeid ärrituse nuppe antud lugu minus vajutas. Just samu mida Jackie Collins ja Jilly Cooper. Samas, midagi köitvat kogu jaburuses leidus. Ehk siis, kellele lähevad peale need kaks autorit, siis sellele peaks antud romaan meelt mööda olema.
See oli küll midagi hoopis muud kui ootasin. Ja mitte just meeldivas suunas. Eeldasin kelmikat krimkat seebiooperi maailmas, kuid sain Jackie Collinsi ja/või Jilly Cooperi. Kaks autorit, kelle loomingut ma mitte grammigi ei suuda seedida -- no ei ole nende pakutu minu stiil ega arusaam väärt naistekatest. Antud raamatus oli tegu põhimõtteliselt hunniku naiste omavaheliste jagelemisega, kuhu vahepeal pahaaimamatult eksisid mehed, kes enamuses jäid mingi hetk vastassoo teerulli alla (mõned teenitult, mõned mitte). Oleks siis vähemalt olnud võimalik naistele kaasa elada, kuid nad olid suuresti nii ebasümpaatsed (mehed, muidugi, ka) või kuidagi lapsikud või lihtsalt kuulsuse maailmasse kogu oma pahedega uppunud, et mul ei olnud eriti kellelegi pöidlaid hoida. B*tchid, noh. Mul tõesti ei tekkinud tahtmist pöidlaid hoia inimestele, kes kümne küünega hoiavad oma kustunud või haihtuvast tähesärast kinni, kuid tegelikult võiksid lihtsalt päris tööle minna ja lõpetada enda tähtsustamise. Isegi n-ö tavalisemad naistegelased mõjusid kuidagi vastumeelselt oma allaheitlikkusega ja halbade abikaasade/armukeste valikutega. Tüütu ja null empaatiat mu poolt. Seltskond ei suutnud minuga kontakti luua või mind hoolima panna oma eneseimetlejalikult glamuursest elust. Laip ilmus ka alles täitsa lõpus välja ja vot selle aset leidmine oli küll juba paroodia killast ning puhas absurdiseebikas. Mis oli üldse loo žanr? Komöödia, krimka, draama, tragöödia, farss...? Kui tõsiselt võis seda võtta? Mitte väga, vist.
Mis eriti kõrva/silma riivas oli pidev seks -- sihitu, eksponeeriv, midagi tõestada püüdev ja sisutühi seks. Ainuüksi esimese 50 lehekülje juures oli vaja taluda kahte seksinäljas naist, kes ratsutavad kellegi seljas või siis kasutavad vibraatoreid enda noorpõlve pornot vaadates. Ja üks krõbistab rahustit ennast rahuldades... Okei, äkki oli see ainult alguse asi, et aidata luua Hollywoodilikku fooni ja teema tõmbab end nüüd tagasi. Ei, neid tuli veel ja veel. Oleks siis, et värvikatel vahekorda demonstreerivatel seikadel oleks mingi konkreetne süžeeline eesmärk, kuid kohati tundus, et ainus siht oli näidata, et 50+ naised võivad olla täpselt sama seksihullud kui mehed. Ma tõesti ei saanud aru miks koguaeg kellegi treimist kirjeldada, kusjuures pikalt ja detailselt, mitte põgusalt või möödaminnes. No ei paelu vahekordadest lokkavat teksti lugeda -- hakkan vist vanaks jääma. Siis ajas närvi konstantne ilulõikuste jutt, rindade võrdlus ja kehade kirjeldus. Mitte meestel, vaid naistel. Ja kuidas kõik pidevalt kellegi rindasid jõllitasid ja seda üksikasjalikult tekstis jutustati ning, kuidas mingi võistlus käis selle üle kellel vingem partii. Võib-olla meelelahutussektoris muule ei mõeldagi -- üpris tõenäoline, kuid öökima ajav, kui sellest 400 lehekülge lugeda.
Kas lugu toimus ikka tänapäeval? Viidati küll MeToo liikumisele, kuid tundus, et kogu asi leiab aset nt 70ndatel või 80ndatel, kus seriaalinduse maailmas tundus lokkavat šovinism, seksism ja machoism. Käperdamine ei olnud midagi ülearu skandaalset ning kõik magasid kõigiga. Ma ei tuvastanud, aga mitte midagi, mis viitaks sellele, et aeg oleks päriselt kuidagi edasi liikunud või kuulsuste töökeskkond kuidagi paranenud. Pidevalt karjutakse ju võrdõiguslikkusest ja staarikesed on vähemalt sotsiaalmeedias vooruse verstapostid, kuid selle romaani põhjal, ei ole Hollywoodis midagi muutunud. Tülgastav ja ajuvaba ning mitte sentigi ei jäänud uskuma, et tegevus leiab aset nüüdisajal. Samas, võib-olla olen tõesti naiivne ja sõge on eeldada, et meelelahutusmaailmas midagigi teistmoodi on. Jah, naised olid loos ka produtsendid ja lavastajad, kuid koheldi neid ikkagi kuidagi teisejärgulisena, eelistades alati mehi. Isegi naised ise. Selles suhtes oli, aga vaevatu kaasa tunda ja ei olnud üldse keeruline naiste murest aru saada. Mitmed märkimisväärsed otsused tehti lihtsalt selle alusel, et kes on mees ja kes mitte. Võitis üldiselt mees just oma soo pärast. Mingi hetk sai villanud lugeda seksimist, mis nõrgus igast lausest, fraasist ja sõnast. Autor ise ka vist ei saanud aru, et oma "male gaze" kirjelduskasutusega, ta aina võimendas naiste objektistumist. Ehk oligi see vägagi teadlik ja tahtlik...?
Vaatamata kõigele, mis mulle pinda käis, mingi hetk avastasin, et intriigide rägastik oli mind enesesse naelutanud ja suutsin omajagu kogu seda ülevõlli ja totakat tohuvabaohu mingi kraadini täitsa nautida. Jäi ebaselgeks, kas menuseriaalide maailm ongi tänapäeval jätkuvalt niivõrd diskimineeriv igas suunas ning õhustik ja olukorrad, millest sai loetud, on tegelikult ikkagi rohkemal või vähemal määral realistlikud. Ei oska seisukohta võtta, sest kohati oli toimuv nii ogar ja uskumatu, et võib lausa tõsi olla või siis tõesti täielik ülepaisutatud fiktsioon. Kuidas see jant lõppeb, kõik sisuliinid kokku jooksevad ning kokku tõmmatakse oli vast kõige põnevam aspekt. Tuli ette üpris ootamatuid lahendusi, mis oma ettenägematusega positiivselt mõjusid. Lool oli puänt, et miks ikkagi seriaali endale ostnud imekaunis rikkur tolle naistöötajaid niimoodi kiusas ja mõnitas. Seletus oli natuke ebatõenäoline, kuid toimis kuidagi asjakohaselt ja sobib nagu rusikas silmaauku. Kui ainult see mõrv ei oleks niivõrd idiootne välja kukkunud. Eks see oli ka tahtlik, kuid natuke rikuti sinnani sidusalt ja sujuvalt toiminud lõpusirge ära.
Igatahes, oeh, kui mitmeid ärrituse nuppe antud lugu minus vajutas. Just samu mida Jackie Collins ja Jilly Cooper. Samas, midagi köitvat kogu jaburuses leidus. Ehk siis, kellele lähevad peale need kaks autorit, siis sellele peaks antud romaan meelt mööda olema.
November 1, 2020
Excellent - and the ending, wow!
April 6, 2021
Really disappointing
Absolutely didn’t live up to the hype for me. So far~fetched. I’m really sorry but I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone
Absolutely didn’t live up to the hype for me. So far~fetched. I’m really sorry but I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone
June 15, 2021
Absolute diatribe! I could write better than this and that’s saying something.
Read
July 2, 2022DNF at 10%. No one has been even slightly ruthless. Extremely boring. And everyone who says the women are an assemblage of parts from poorly written p0rn is also correct.
January 8, 2022
Először akkor akadt meg a szemem ezen a köteten, amikor megláttam milyen csodaszép piros élfestést kapott, aztán elolvastam a fülszöveget, és nagyon érdekesnek tűnt, viszont nem voltam biztos benne, hogy nekem való e ez a regény. De győzött a kíváncsiságom, és egyáltalán nem bántam meg, hogy kézbe vettem. Igaz, hogy nem sok pozitív jellegű értékeléssel találkoztam magyar berkekben, de ez senkit se tántorítson el. Ha érdekelnek a kulisszák, és nem riadsz vissza az őszinteségtől, akkor a Könyörtelen nők sem fog váratlanul érni. Egy igazán szókimondó, ami a szívén, az a száján típusú kötetről van szó, jó nagy adag erotikával, és megannyi ármánnyal, és alakoskodással fűszerezve.
Mint, ahogy azt a borító is hirdeti, 'az ambíció olykor halálos', s ez nem is lehetne igazabb erre a kötetre. Már az elején, mindenféle köntörfalazás nélkül tárja elénk a szereplőket, azt hogy kik is ők, és milyen emberek. Ad egy kezdőlöketet, ami végigkísér minket olvasás közben. Az elején nekem kicsit zavaros volt, hogy éppen ki milyen kapcsolatot ápol a másikkal, de elég hamar fel lehet venni a cselekmény fonalát, és elég szép képet is ad az alaphelyzetről, és arról a világról, amiról Melanie Blake ír. Sokak számára megbotránkoztató lehet a kötet, vagy éppen romlott, de szerintem olykor a másik oldalt is látni kell. Imádok filmeket és sorozatokat nézni, és tudom, hogy nem minden csili-vili, de azért nem számítottam ennyire mocskos részletekre, néhány helyen szó szerint tátva maradt a szám, és csak néztem magam elé csodálkozva. Persze az írónő a legdurvább eseteket hozza fel példának, akkor is ezt akarom hinni, ha nem így van, de a Könyörtelen nők tele van klisékkel, törtető, mindenkin áttaposó, csak a "nyereség érdekli" karakterekkel, akikből a legrosszabbat hozza ki a siker, és a siker utáni vágyakozás. Letűnt sztárok, megcsillanó tehetségek, elnyomott munkatársak, és pályájukat kezdő amatőrök is tiszteletüket teszik a kötet lapjai között. Nem egy helyen pörkölik meg a sorokat, vagy adnak pikáns fennhangot nekik. Az írónő a lehető legtöbb sztereotípiát pakolja egymásra, és szépen a székében ülve várja, mikor is fog robbanni az a bizonyos bomba.
Mindemellett maga a cselekmény nagyon olvasmányos, gyorsan kipörögnek az oldalak, és minden egyes fejezettel, és résszel új problémát közelít meg, új "veszélyre" hívja fel a figyelmet. Nem a széplelkűeknek való olvasmány, de ez senkit se riasszon vissza. Igen, kegyetlen, harcias, eltökélt, ha kell mindenen és mindenkin átgázol, de erotikus, egyes részeknél véres, ádáz és veszélyes is. A női kegyetlenséget ötvözi a férfiak uralmával, és felsőbbség érzetükkel.
A karakterek a maguk valójában mutatják meg az igazi énjüket, s meglepetést meglepetésre halmoznak. Nincs egy olyan szereplő, akinek ne lenne valami mocsok a múltjában, ne lennének olyan ügyei, amik kihatással lennének a jelenre, és a kötet egészére nézve. Egy igazán fordulatos leleplező regény ez, ami a csillogás mögötti igazságra döbbent rá, és húz le a mélybe. Nők, drog, szex, megcsalás, elárulás, becsapás, és megannyi pikáns részlet. Ezek alkotják a Könyörtelen nők magját, ezek a jelzők adják a cselekmény forráspontját, és ezek is mozgatják a szálakat.
Ami leginkább meglepő volt számomra olvasás közben, az az írónő könnyed stílusa, ami miatt nagyon gyorsan haladtam a történettel, és ami miatt vártam, hogy milyen befejezést szán mind a karaktereknek, s mind a forgatásnak, ami az események és a bonyodalmak okozója. Nincs egy olyan apró részlet, ami ne lenne visszavezethető a Falcon Bays sorozatra. Nemcsak az embereket határozza meg, hanem a sorsukat is. A stressz, a megfelelni akarás, és a csillogás utáni vágy teljes mértékben felkavarja az állóvizet, és az ambíciókat állítja szembe egymással. Egyes részeknél durva, erősen 18 karikás, viszont hihetetlenül őszinte is.
Mint, ahogy azt a borító is hirdeti, 'az ambíció olykor halálos', s ez nem is lehetne igazabb erre a kötetre. Már az elején, mindenféle köntörfalazás nélkül tárja elénk a szereplőket, azt hogy kik is ők, és milyen emberek. Ad egy kezdőlöketet, ami végigkísér minket olvasás közben. Az elején nekem kicsit zavaros volt, hogy éppen ki milyen kapcsolatot ápol a másikkal, de elég hamar fel lehet venni a cselekmény fonalát, és elég szép képet is ad az alaphelyzetről, és arról a világról, amiról Melanie Blake ír. Sokak számára megbotránkoztató lehet a kötet, vagy éppen romlott, de szerintem olykor a másik oldalt is látni kell. Imádok filmeket és sorozatokat nézni, és tudom, hogy nem minden csili-vili, de azért nem számítottam ennyire mocskos részletekre, néhány helyen szó szerint tátva maradt a szám, és csak néztem magam elé csodálkozva. Persze az írónő a legdurvább eseteket hozza fel példának, akkor is ezt akarom hinni, ha nem így van, de a Könyörtelen nők tele van klisékkel, törtető, mindenkin áttaposó, csak a "nyereség érdekli" karakterekkel, akikből a legrosszabbat hozza ki a siker, és a siker utáni vágyakozás. Letűnt sztárok, megcsillanó tehetségek, elnyomott munkatársak, és pályájukat kezdő amatőrök is tiszteletüket teszik a kötet lapjai között. Nem egy helyen pörkölik meg a sorokat, vagy adnak pikáns fennhangot nekik. Az írónő a lehető legtöbb sztereotípiát pakolja egymásra, és szépen a székében ülve várja, mikor is fog robbanni az a bizonyos bomba.
Mindemellett maga a cselekmény nagyon olvasmányos, gyorsan kipörögnek az oldalak, és minden egyes fejezettel, és résszel új problémát közelít meg, új "veszélyre" hívja fel a figyelmet. Nem a széplelkűeknek való olvasmány, de ez senkit se riasszon vissza. Igen, kegyetlen, harcias, eltökélt, ha kell mindenen és mindenkin átgázol, de erotikus, egyes részeknél véres, ádáz és veszélyes is. A női kegyetlenséget ötvözi a férfiak uralmával, és felsőbbség érzetükkel.
A karakterek a maguk valójában mutatják meg az igazi énjüket, s meglepetést meglepetésre halmoznak. Nincs egy olyan szereplő, akinek ne lenne valami mocsok a múltjában, ne lennének olyan ügyei, amik kihatással lennének a jelenre, és a kötet egészére nézve. Egy igazán fordulatos leleplező regény ez, ami a csillogás mögötti igazságra döbbent rá, és húz le a mélybe. Nők, drog, szex, megcsalás, elárulás, becsapás, és megannyi pikáns részlet. Ezek alkotják a Könyörtelen nők magját, ezek a jelzők adják a cselekmény forráspontját, és ezek is mozgatják a szálakat.
Ami leginkább meglepő volt számomra olvasás közben, az az írónő könnyed stílusa, ami miatt nagyon gyorsan haladtam a történettel, és ami miatt vártam, hogy milyen befejezést szán mind a karaktereknek, s mind a forgatásnak, ami az események és a bonyodalmak okozója. Nincs egy olyan apró részlet, ami ne lenne visszavezethető a Falcon Bays sorozatra. Nemcsak az embereket határozza meg, hanem a sorsukat is. A stressz, a megfelelni akarás, és a csillogás utáni vágy teljes mértékben felkavarja az állóvizet, és az ambíciókat állítja szembe egymással. Egyes részeknél durva, erősen 18 karikás, viszont hihetetlenül őszinte is.
July 9, 2021
Look, this isn't really my cup of tea. People whose cup of tea this is aren't likely to be dissuaded from this book by my thoughts, and nor should they be. Taste, as Skittles may have suggested, is a rainbow and to each their own.
Falcon Bay used to be the world's most successful soap opera with a global audience measured in the 100s of millions -- already my suspension of disbelief is looking at me funny -- but it's been a shadow of its former self lately and has been hemorrhaging viewers for years. Catherine is the star of the show, Amanda is the exec producer screwed over for the showrunner job by her asshole husband, Farrah is the writer-director always losing out to the big episodes to her sleazy male counterpart, Madeline is the new network owner determined to do anything to get Falcon Bay back to its number one spot.
These women, all of a certain age, all with perfect breasts, all requiring little more than a truck to rumble by their homes to propel them into multiple orgasms, are the Ruthless (and mostly unlikeable) Women whose lives we follow in the lead-up to the soap's Christmas Day live episode where the introduction of a new Super Bitch will supposedly save the show from the ratings doldrums and propel it back to the top. As we progress through the novel, more details are changed and added to this Christmas Day episode to the point where I just wanted someone to step in and stop this madness. (As an aside, as a fan of soap opera I've never really seen the appeal of a live episode)
In the 300+ pages, not an awful lot of it makes total sense and a series of bad decisions (usually involving a penis) pit the friends against each other and their ambitions, but it all became a bit easier to get through when I decided that it was meant to be funny. Then, the idea of someone's voice rising several octaves became deliberate hyperbole rather than a misunderstanding of how people talk, and tears that spiraled down a face was actually a comment on a botched facelift or something, and a chapter beyond the halfway point with more orgasms per page than anything I think I've ever read in my life was -- I dunno -- just a huge amount of orgasms.
My main issue for being late to the It's Meant To Be Funny party, it's been billed as a thriller, and it really isn't. Nothing about it is thrilling, and I don't think it tries to be, but for the first hundred or so pages, I kept waiting for something dramatic to happen and was disappointed when it didn't. And then I wondered how many chapters I could've skipped without affecting my enjoyment or my understanding of what was going on, and my prediction of what was going to happen next.
On a more positive note, it did conjure up a few images of the shoulder-padded US soaps of the 80s, and there's a nice nod to how all soap storylines have been done a million times before and eventually the overblown stretch for originality has to be tempered against jumping the shark, so to speak.
So yeah, while not for me at all, and I can't say I enjoyed it exactly, I find myself in the unusual position of almost recommending it as a decent, no-thinking-required accompaniment to lying by a pool or on the beach as a decent way to spend five or six hours of an afternoon now the world is returning to normal.
Falcon Bay used to be the world's most successful soap opera with a global audience measured in the 100s of millions -- already my suspension of disbelief is looking at me funny -- but it's been a shadow of its former self lately and has been hemorrhaging viewers for years. Catherine is the star of the show, Amanda is the exec producer screwed over for the showrunner job by her asshole husband, Farrah is the writer-director always losing out to the big episodes to her sleazy male counterpart, Madeline is the new network owner determined to do anything to get Falcon Bay back to its number one spot.
These women, all of a certain age, all with perfect breasts, all requiring little more than a truck to rumble by their homes to propel them into multiple orgasms, are the Ruthless (and mostly unlikeable) Women whose lives we follow in the lead-up to the soap's Christmas Day live episode where the introduction of a new Super Bitch will supposedly save the show from the ratings doldrums and propel it back to the top. As we progress through the novel, more details are changed and added to this Christmas Day episode to the point where I just wanted someone to step in and stop this madness. (As an aside, as a fan of soap opera I've never really seen the appeal of a live episode)
In the 300+ pages, not an awful lot of it makes total sense and a series of bad decisions (usually involving a penis) pit the friends against each other and their ambitions, but it all became a bit easier to get through when I decided that it was meant to be funny. Then, the idea of someone's voice rising several octaves became deliberate hyperbole rather than a misunderstanding of how people talk, and tears that spiraled down a face was actually a comment on a botched facelift or something, and a chapter beyond the halfway point with more orgasms per page than anything I think I've ever read in my life was -- I dunno -- just a huge amount of orgasms.
My main issue for being late to the It's Meant To Be Funny party, it's been billed as a thriller, and it really isn't. Nothing about it is thrilling, and I don't think it tries to be, but for the first hundred or so pages, I kept waiting for something dramatic to happen and was disappointed when it didn't. And then I wondered how many chapters I could've skipped without affecting my enjoyment or my understanding of what was going on, and my prediction of what was going to happen next.
On a more positive note, it did conjure up a few images of the shoulder-padded US soaps of the 80s, and there's a nice nod to how all soap storylines have been done a million times before and eventually the overblown stretch for originality has to be tempered against jumping the shark, so to speak.
So yeah, while not for me at all, and I can't say I enjoyed it exactly, I find myself in the unusual position of almost recommending it as a decent, no-thinking-required accompaniment to lying by a pool or on the beach as a decent way to spend five or six hours of an afternoon now the world is returning to normal.
February 11, 2021
Serial drama, Falcon Bay was once riding high in the TV ratings with its main stars regularly receiving prestigious awards but times have changed and a succession of new owners have seen the show plunge dramatically in the global ratings. With a new network owner, Falcon Bay, is once again the centre of controversy, and with a special anniversary looming the hunt is on for an explosive story line which will fire the imagination of the viewing public.
The cut-throat world of television is laid bare to scrutiny, and as we hover like flies on the wall we are privy to all the back room shenanigans in which careers are made and broken. However, we know that difficult times call for difficult measures and only the tough and ruthless are going to survive, and for writer and director, Farrah Adams, soap star, Catherine Belle, executive producer, Amanda King and Head of Casting, Helen Gold, life is about to get very complicated indeed.
Ruthless Women is a sexy and sassy romp through the vagaries of TV production. All those added extra little titbits, which the author shares with such glee, are what make this such an entertaining read. I read the book in one sitting on a cold and grey day and was instantly transported to the beautiful Channel Island setting of Falcon Bay and became lost in the ruthless TV world which has been so passionately recreated.
Ruthless Women made me laugh out loud in places, whilst at other times I was amazed by all the bitchiness that went on behind closed doors. The level of bed hopping reminded me of those glorious bonkbusters I devoured in the 1980s but in Ruthless Women this has all been brought marvellously up to date by an author who knows this industry like the back of her well manicured hand. The final denouement, when it comes, is every bit as good as I wanted it to be, deliciously different, and genuinely edge of seat stuff. I can’t wait to see what this talented writer will give us next time.
The cut-throat world of television is laid bare to scrutiny, and as we hover like flies on the wall we are privy to all the back room shenanigans in which careers are made and broken. However, we know that difficult times call for difficult measures and only the tough and ruthless are going to survive, and for writer and director, Farrah Adams, soap star, Catherine Belle, executive producer, Amanda King and Head of Casting, Helen Gold, life is about to get very complicated indeed.
Ruthless Women is a sexy and sassy romp through the vagaries of TV production. All those added extra little titbits, which the author shares with such glee, are what make this such an entertaining read. I read the book in one sitting on a cold and grey day and was instantly transported to the beautiful Channel Island setting of Falcon Bay and became lost in the ruthless TV world which has been so passionately recreated.
Ruthless Women made me laugh out loud in places, whilst at other times I was amazed by all the bitchiness that went on behind closed doors. The level of bed hopping reminded me of those glorious bonkbusters I devoured in the 1980s but in Ruthless Women this has all been brought marvellously up to date by an author who knows this industry like the back of her well manicured hand. The final denouement, when it comes, is every bit as good as I wanted it to be, deliciously different, and genuinely edge of seat stuff. I can’t wait to see what this talented writer will give us next time.
February 14, 2021
Wow.... What an epic tale of power, sex, money, friendship and strength. Focused on the main people behind a world renowned soap opera the characters have as much glamour, sexiness, bitchiness and secrecy as the show itself. Imagine Dallas with the power suits and glamorous women, meets Sunset beach with it’s crazy storylines. The drama on screen is matched, and then some, by the impressive talent who create it. A group of ambitious women head the team. A powerhouse of strong, well respected, beautiful females who are not about to let the boys club take from them what they deserve. They are fighting in a mans world and aim to come out on top.
The story touches on a number of themes throughout, sex, abuse, drugs, alcoholism, and the #metoo movement, highlighting the difficulties people in this industry face and the pressures on men and women to stay at the top of their game.
At the heart of the story is the friendship between the main women. Their bonds that have stood the test of time and the strength they have when they face the world head on together.
But at the end of the day will that be enough? Even the closest of friendships can show cracks when put under the spotlight and sometimes the need for solidarity in women can be destroyed by the quest to become top dog. These ladies will do anything to succeed in this world, but at what cost?
The story touches on a number of themes throughout, sex, abuse, drugs, alcoholism, and the #metoo movement, highlighting the difficulties people in this industry face and the pressures on men and women to stay at the top of their game.
At the heart of the story is the friendship between the main women. Their bonds that have stood the test of time and the strength they have when they face the world head on together.
But at the end of the day will that be enough? Even the closest of friendships can show cracks when put under the spotlight and sometimes the need for solidarity in women can be destroyed by the quest to become top dog. These ladies will do anything to succeed in this world, but at what cost?
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