I received a copy of this title to read and review for Wicked Reads 
 4 Stars. 
 I'm a huge fan of the Straight Guys series & the author. I found the series over a year and a half ago, and I pushed my book buddies to join me. 
 I need to offer this warning, for both fans and new readers, I struggled at the beginning of Just a Bit Ruthless. In my opinion, it didn't sound like the same series or the same author. The first chapter was all inner monologue, a lot of it repetitious, and I found myself skimming and disinterested- I feared this would set the pacing of the book, where it was more telling than showing. Basically, it didn't hook me at all, to the point I opened another book. Deciding not to give up, because I wasn't going to DNF a book in one of my favorite series, I pushed through. 
 Around chapter 4 or 5, the fluidity, pacing, and the author's voice began to feel how the previous books in the series had read, and from that point I had no troubles. There were still a few times I skimmed due to rambling inner monologues that had already been voiced several times, which was frustrating due to the shorter length of the book. 
 None of that is truly a criticism. I'm pointing this out to those who read the sample, or those who also find themselves disinterested in the beginning and contemplate not continuing on. If you're a fan, continue on. Trust me. 
 The Straight Guys series is a guilty indulgence of mine, a few hours of mindless entertainment where I get a hit of the warm and fuzzies, a few unexpected laughs, and blush from the between-the-sheets action. Just a Bit Ruthless provided all those things and more, once I found a rhythm of reading the story. 
 Luke is our kidnapped damsel in distress. Roman is our evil villain with a heart of gold. Together, they complement each other perfectly. 
 There are darker elements I need to mention. I'm great with the following, some of them my favorite elements of the story, but other readers- not so much. The book starts off with a kidnapping, featuring organized crime. No force occurs between the love interests. Also, there is MF on and off scene, as Roman is our straight guy in this title, & it would be odd to act as if he wasn't. BDSM featuring power-exchange (my favorite type). Luke needed the feeling of security that comes from being taken care of, and Roman needed to be the caregiver. It was sweet, and not spanky or restraints, or hardcore BDSM. 
 Over all, I enjoyed the plot and the characters. It's meant to be entertainment, not true-to-life, so I could overlook some minor issues. The aftermath in the second part, the conversations with the therapist were hilarious to me, as was how the abductee spoke and acted around the abductor. 
 Just a Bit Ruthless was dark yet sweet, and cuddly yet smoking hot. 
 This wasn't my favorite of the series, but I believe it made a good addition to the series over all, and is reread worthy in a future series reread. We met the next narrators, and the author listed how that is potentially the last in the series. I'll be sad to see it go, but looking forward to whatever A. Hazard gives us next.