Lust, power, revenge: the gripping new gangland thriller from Karen Woods – the writer to show you the dark side of Manchester.
Two women – one too innocent, one who knows too much. They have secrets, but none as lethal as those they uncover when they get caught up in turf wars between two strip club owners on the back streets of Manchester.
Elsa Bradshaw is 18. Despite a tough start – never knowing her father, and barely seeing her mother who’d rather be chasing men – she’s grown up with her grandmother’s values and a desire to build a better life. But will falling for local bad boy, Clayton, change all that?
Pamela Maylett seems to have everything – as wife of local lap-dancing club owner, Jordan, she’s got money, influence and plenty of life’s little luxuries. But is her beautiful home also her prison? She knows her husband is surrounded by women at work – after all, she was dancing when she met him. But Jordan won’t let his wife back on the stage and Pamela misses the lights, the lust and the power.
When Elsa crosses paths with Pamela, she is grateful to be taken under her wing, and shown a world she never realised was out there. Elsa has a lot to learn – about the clubs, about what she wants, and most importantly, what she’ll do to get it.
As the men that own the local clubs start a turf war, it’s time for the women to step up…
I was particularly looking forward to this book as it is set in Manchester, my home town. Let me tell you, it didn't disappoint! A sinister trip into the dark side of Manchester's nightlife; Tease is full to the brim with turf wars, lies, corruption, manipulation and deceit.
I didn't want this book to finish but perhaps with that ending, we will revisit Elsa's world at some point? Something tells me that tough little cookie is going to rule the roost soon enough..
This was my first experience reading material by Karen Wood's and I will certainly have my eyes peeled for future releases!
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperNorth for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review 📖
To sum this book up in one word 'amazing' I personally loved it, I love a good gangland, a few that I have read this year have been a bit similar so not read any of this genre for a while, but this latest one from Karen Woods was different, I was instantly realed into the club world and the life of poor Elsa as you knew it was heading for disaster. Elsa 18 becomes a little too friendly with her boyfriends mother not knowing what Pamela has in store for her. Perfectly written and it had me hooked, great storyline would love to see a follow on about Elsa's next journey.
BRILLIANT The first book I've read by Karen Wood and if they are all as good as this one it won't be my last. The story was gripping throughout with strong females and dodgy men I could'nt put it down. Elsa lives with her mum and nan and things are tough always scraping by but when she meets Clayton she feels things maybe about to change. Claytons mum Pam likes what she sees when she meets Elsa but could it be for all the wrong reasons? And how far will Elsa go to earn a decent wage. I really hope there is a follow up to Elsa's story. Thanks to Netgalley and Harper North for the ARC.
Well 2022 has really done Karen woods justice .This is a really good read from start to finish and cannot wait for the next series in this book well done Karen you deserve a gold star .The best book I have read in a very long time .I just didn't won't to put this book down .you are up there with martina Cole .I would ask all martina Cole fans to buy this book and you certainly will not be disappointed.
Tease by Karen Woods. Two women – one too innocent, one who knows too much. They have secrets, but none as lethal as those they uncover when they get caught up in turf wars between two strip club owners on the back streets of Manchester. Elsa Bradshaw is 18. Despite a tough start – never knowing her father, and barely seeing her mother who’d rather be chasing men – she’s grown up with her grandmother’s values and a desire to build a better life. But will falling for local bad boy, Clayton, change all that? Pamela Maylett seems to have everything – as wife of local lap-dancing club owner, Jordan, she’s got money, influence and plenty of life’s little luxuries. But is her beautiful home also her prison? She knows her husband is surrounded by women at work – after all, she was dancing when she met him. But Jordan won’t let his wife back on the stage and Pamela misses the lights, the lust and the power. When Elsa crosses paths with Pamela, she is grateful to be taken under her wing, and shown a world she never realised was out there. Elsa has a lot to learn – about the clubs, about what she wants, and most importantly, what she’ll do to get it. As the men that own the local clubs start a turf war, it’s time for the women to step up… A very very good read. Great story and characters. This is my first book by this author but it won't be the last. 4*.
It's been a long time since I sat down and read a book through in just over a day. 'Tease' tells the story of pole dancers, clubland rivalry and some of the problems experienced by people living very close to the wrong side of the law. A mother, her lazy daughter and granddaughter live in bad circumstances, where money is tight. Mary has a couple of cleaning jobs, but the money runs out just as the bills come in. Karla, at thirty three, has no job, but enjoys the company of a married man, who promises her the earth. Elsa, at eighteen, Has just snagged her first boyfriend. Clayton's mother, Pam, takes Elsa under her wing and teaches the girl how to pole dance. Little does Elsa know that, for Pam, it's a means to an end. As the story moves on, more is revealed about the lives of the main characters, which explains the actions and decisions they take. In the end, there are no outright winners and losers. Lives get put on hold, until they can be rebuilt. Loved the book. Really sorry to have finished it.
WoW! Tease by Karen Woods is the second book I have read by Karen, what a brilliant book this was. I was hooked from the very first few pages and I was hooked! This book was a great start to 2022 and I loved it. It was fast paced, with lots of twists and turns throughout, that had me sitting on the edge of my seat on many occasions!
A superb gritty gangland warfare book that is a Must read for 2022.
I highly recommend Tease by Karen Woods and it will not be the last book I read of Karen's. Excellent 5star read!
Big Thank You to Netgalley and Harper North for the ARC.
Well written with some great characters Tease will chew you up and spit you out. We visit seedy lap and pole dancing clubs run by greedy men, visited by perverted men who slaver over and want to touch the young girls. The girls are there to get as much money as they can and tease and tempt them. But some of them are too young. This book is full of corruption, lies, betrayal, sadness, and violence. and I loved it. Praise for Karen Woods.
Brilliant book. This is the first book I have read from this author and I loved it. I hope there’s a follow up because I can’t wait to read it. It’s full of gritty characters and shows you how easy it can be to get caught up in their seedy world. Great ending that leaves you wanting more. If you like authors like Jessie Keane, Martina Cole, Kerry Barnes, Heather Burnside and others like them, you will love this book. I will be reading more of her books from now on.
Mediocre in both writing and plotting, a grave disappointment in view of the generally rave reviews. I'd hoped for a gritty story in a northern English setting but this is essentially a Mills & Boon for the 2020s.
First time I have heard of Karen woods, and it won't be the last. I love Martina cole, been reading her books for years. Can't wait for the next instalment of this book. Well done karen, an amazing book I could not put down. I read it in 2 days lol
Well written kept you on the edge of you seat. Ok seedy. But it's life. The way it was written was clever and interesting. One of the best books read. Another great book from the Northern Martin's Cole.
From the start it was a thrilling read. Exactly what the title says, couldn’t stop reading good plot and characters. Would make a good tv film. Looking forward to more from this author.
This story felt like a good gritty drama on tv. This is the second book I've read of Karen woods and once again, didn't disappoint. Definitely worth a read
KW doesn’t disappoint! Fantastic storyline with plenty of twists and turns. Kept me hooked throughout and the ending leaves me in anticipation of follow up