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THE STRONGER SEX.
Ruby has always been strong. Growing up with a feeble mother and an absent father, she is forced to fight the battles of her younger siblings. And when a childhood experience leaves her traumatised, her distrust of men turns to hatred.

ON THE STREETS.
With no safe place to call home, Ruby is desperate to fit in with the tough crowd. She spends her teenage years sleeping around and drinking in the park, and by the time she is sixteen, prostitution has become a way of life. But Ruby has ambitions, and she soon moves up the ladder to become the madam of her own brothel.

THE BROTHEL.
But being in charge of a brothel has its down sides, Ruby faces her worst nightmare when an enemy from the past comes back into her life, and gang intimidation threatens to ruin everything. Can she find a way to beat her tormentors? And will she be strong enough to see it through?

Heather Burnside is back with this breath-taking, heart-racing series, perfect for all fans of Kimberley Chambers and Martina Cole.

370 pages, ebook

Published December 5, 2019

213 people are currently reading
119 people want to read

About the author

Heather Burnside

30 books120 followers
Heather Burnside grew up in Gorton, a working-class area of Manchester famed as the original location for the TV series, Shameless. She moved from Gorton to a new housing development and spent her teenage years on one of the toughest estates in Manchester.

During the 1990s the estate became the headquarters for one of Manchester’s predominant gangs. It regularly featured in the local press due to shootings and drug-related problems. Heather draws heavily on this background as the setting for many of her novels.

After taking a career break to raise two children Heather enrolled on a creative writing course. During that time she had many articles published in well-known magazines and went on to run a writing services business before focusing on her novels.

Heather now works full-time on her novels from her home in Manchester which she shares with her two grown-up children.

You can find out more about Heather’s books by signing up to her mailing list at: http://eepurl.com/CP6YP to receive regular updates, or by viewing her website: www.heatherburnside.com.



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5 stars
651 (57%)
4 stars
317 (27%)
3 stars
128 (11%)
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35 (3%)
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9 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
Profile Image for Dash fan .
1,510 reviews714 followers
December 11, 2019
5☆ A Gritty, Action Packed, Unputdownable Ganglit Thriller!

RUBY is a Gritty, Thrilling, Ballsy Ganglit Thriller that i couldn't put down!


This is the second book in the series, but I haven't yet read the first book and had absolutely no problems reading as a standalone book!


This isn't going to be easy writing my review without potentially giving anything away so I'll just briefly go over the plot.

RUBY had finally made it, she's worked her arse off and is now a proud Madame and Dominatrix of Ruby's Massage Parlour.
But it hasn't been easy!
She's faced danger, repercussions, lecherous men, bullying protection racquet, racism, but come out on top!

We follow Ruby through her childhood and teenage years where she was bullied, badly beaten up, faced poverty and a bully for a Father.

RUBY vowed she would never ever let another man treat her like that again!

I loved Ruby and Trina, the character development was an eye opener.
Trina was so ballsy, courageous, cheeky, a typical defiant Teen and Ruby was this strong independent women who was incredible brave and fitted her Dominatrix Persona perfectly, she was protective, headstrong, a great business women, yet had this vulnerable side that shone through when she was with her girlfriend Tiffany .
My heart went out to both their character stories. Such heartache yet warmth and bravery.

There are some sensitive subjects such as abuse and violence, racism, bullying, prostitution but Heather keeps the subjects relevant to the plot and handles them with the right amount of sensitivity to still make a powerful impact.

Ruby is a Fast Paced, Compulsive and Engrossing Story of two halves that meet in the middle.
It's a story of Survival, Second Chances, Love, Standing up for Yourself, Not Giving Up, Family Life and Loyalty.
It's full of Danger, Twists, Thrills, and it certainly got my pulses racing.
RUBY has definitely made it on my Top Reads for 2019!

I adore Heather Burnside's Books and she is fast becoming my go to Author for gritty ganglit stories.
Her books are always authentic, fast paced, Thrilling and Unputdownable and yet again she has more than delivered with RUBY!
I can't wait for her next book!

Thank you to Aria Fiction for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.



My Review is also on my Blog Website :-

https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2019/1...
Profile Image for 8stitches 9lives.
2,853 reviews1,720 followers
December 5, 2019
Being a Northern girl I love that the usual gangland turf war setting of the East End of London is replaced by the equally seedy, shady and. disreputable parts of Manchester. There is a heavy focus of pimps, prostitutes and their Johns we follow Ruby as she attempts to make a name for herself on the mean streets. But Ruby isn't merely satisfied with earning her dollar and being thankful; she wants more than that but she knows she must carefully consider her next move as closing in on anyone's precious territory is deemed an act worth killing for. Should she put herself and her life in huge danger in the name of ambition or make do as most other ladies in the game have? One thing is for certain if she makes the wrong decision and infuriates the competition she won't be around that much longer to tell the tale. Ruby ducks and dives in and out of the shadows as she eludes an ever-increasing collection of sworn enemies. Can she survive and thrive?

I thoroughly enjoyed Ruby as it's a story full of intense drama, excitement and imminent danger seemingly lurking around every corner. It's a tough street scene for anyone to brave never mind a female and with an endless array of tested loyalties, betrayals, murder, double-crosses, alliances and shifting allegiances and there is a lot of violence and tension as the plot races along barely giving you a moment to breathe; for the majority of the time my heart was simply pounding and I noticed myself turning the pages more and more rapidly and anxiously. I found it impossible not to admire the kick-ass feisty female at the centre of it all. Read about all of the fraternising rogue criminal elements that lie beneath the shiny, sparkling veneer of city life. This is a compulsive, gritty and wildly unpredictable gangland thriller which I highly recommend to those who enjoy the likes of Jessie Keane, Kimberly Chambers and Martina Cole. Highly recommended. Many thanks to BOTBS for an ARC.
Profile Image for Mark.
1,619 reviews
November 7, 2019
Ruby is the 2nd book in ‘The Working Girls Series’ but can easily be read as a stand alone

Ruby is a character, in every sense of the word and boy does she get up to some things in this book about her!
The book goes from the past to the present and you find out how Ruby ( now running a brothel ) came from very humble beginnings and how from being a prostitute ( where she overcomes many problems ) she is now a success, happy in all aspects of her life
But then the man she help put away for attacking her beat friend is released and out for revenge, hot on his heels is a gang leader ( who attacked her when she was a teenager ) demanding protection money and ‘other favours’ and Ruby’s life is turned upside down, she is strong and no one gets the better of her but are the 2 forces combined enough to pull her under?
With the authors usual real life gritty no holds barred way if telling this kind of story, the story leaps from the pages and you run with it as it hurtles towards a terrifying and blood curdling finale
Its no secret I love this authors books but thats because they are so shockingly realistic and character driven, don’t expect a cozy drama but a full on adventure as Ruby fights for her survival
Loved it
10/10
5 Stars
Profile Image for Nursebookie.
2,855 reviews425 followers
December 11, 2019
Heather Burnside is an author that I will have to keep an eye on. My first book of hers but certainly has quickly become my favorite after reading this new release. Though this is the second book of the Working Girls series, and have not had the chance quite yet of picking that up, this book worked great as a standalone.

What I really enjoyed the most are the amazing characters she writes about. They are strong yet also quite vulnerable. Their stories are so addicting and it leaves me wanting to read more about them.

The writing style is simply exciting and grips me from the start. Fair warning, if you are going to pick this book up, make sure that you have everything you need like an empty bladder and your nice cup of tea and blankets next to you, because you are probably not going to want to get up because Heather's writing will keep you turning those pages.

Ruby has such an amazing back story and I loved the alternating timelines to really understand the full experience of the character.

Highly recommend this amazing read.
Profile Image for Jane Hunt.
Author 3 books113 followers
December 16, 2019
Another chapter in the gritty urban thriller set in Manchester and focused on working girls.

Ruby's story is told in two timelines, the past, reflecting how her childhood and a teenage, drew her into the life of prostitution. The present, where she has everything thing she's worked for but is in danger of losing.

She is not a victim. She had a plan and was prepared to use prostitution, as the means to give her the lifestyle she wants. Formerly, working for the pimp Gilly, a heinous character we met in book 1 The Mark, now she runs her own business. She hates men, because of her past experiences in her childhood and teenage, and revels in her role as a brothel owner. When her livelihood is threatened by men from her past. She demonstrates how courageous she is in defending those she cares about and her hard-fought-for business.

Like most people she has different facets, the gentle, loyal side which she shows to her lover Tiffany and her friends, The other side is driven and ruthless. Determined to keep what she owns and prepared to endanger herself to protect it. Ruby is a believable character, who commands your respect. She does want is needed, and that is admirable.

I have read the first book in the series, but this is a complete story, with enough backstory on the cast of characters and their situation for it to read well as a standalone. However, it is an addictive, action-filled series that is worth reading in its entirety.

The story reflects the lifestyle it portrays, so it features, bad language, sex and violence. It explores the darker aspects of society, but only to move Ruby's story forward. Written engagingly, with realistic characters and situations. The adrenaline-fueled drama is addictive, as is the characterisation.

A must-read for those who enjoy relentless, ganglit in a contemporary urban setting.

I received a copy of this book from Aria Fiction via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Profile Image for Booklover BEV.
1,685 reviews51 followers
December 14, 2019
The second working girl's series

Trina Henry along with her mother Daisy and brothers ,Tyler, Ellis and Jarell living on benefits and dodging the rent man. its 1991, Manchester. Her father Isaac up sticks that many times Trina was glad to see the back of him, the rows between her parents just seem to get worse, this time he was gone for good. At sixteen she leaves home wanting to make easy money on the streets moves into a Victorian house in Whalley Range with Shelley, and Trina becomes Ruby working as dominatrix and was in full control. A brilliant fast pace gangster book, that I couldn't put down, so enjoyed every page of Rubys story and the rush of adrenalin flows through you as you turn the pages. A top notch read ,the author has delivered again. Cannot wait for the next book.
Profile Image for Vanessa.
3,061 reviews27 followers
December 18, 2019
"Ruby" by Heather Burnside is book two of the The Working Girls series and I just loved it especially as you can easily read it as a stand alone book. It's full of twists and turns throughout which I just enjoyed about this book.

I am looking forward to Book three especially to read more about Crystal's journey.
Heather Burnside is an up and coming author.

I highly recommend her, especially if you love books about gangland.

Big Thank you to Aria Fiction and Netgalley for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Profile Image for Tracey Hewitt.
345 reviews37 followers
June 25, 2021
A great gangland crime book filled with drama and excitement.
It is a very fast paced read.
This is a compulsive gritty book.
Profile Image for Lucy.
995 reviews15 followers
August 1, 2023
I had to read this next instalment of 'The Working Girls' immediately after reading the first!

This book can be read as a standalone, as Burnside has cleverly integrated the history of the story into the first few pages, even if they haven't read 'The Mark'. Ruby and her friends are a group of powerful females who have much more to them than simply selling their bodies for cash. I loved catching up with some of the previous characters, as well as being introduced to some new.

Burnside has written another gripping, dark, and hard-hitting gangland thriller, that I found as addictive as the other book in the series. Again, there are elements to this plot that some readers may find triggering. There is a huge amount of graphic details included, which Burnside has handled well, and makes Ruby even more likeable character. Everyone needs a friend like Ruby!

The audiobook narration added to the drama and intense atmosphere throughout, and the plot twists kept me engaged and intrigued.

I highly recommend this read, and the series, if this is your preferred genre. I haven't been this absorbed into a series since discovering Martina Cole. Absolutely loving it! Now off to read the next!

Profile Image for Kim.
464 reviews4 followers
November 30, 2019
What an excellent book, I liked the characters and found it easy to get into. This is the second book in The working class series, The Mark being the first, but it can easily be read as a standalone.

Young Trina is growing up in a house with her church-going mother and 2 half brothers. Her mother works numerous jobs to keep their head above water but there is never enough money. Her 2 older cousins frequently visit and are dripping in the latest designer gear and gold. She is fed up with school, having to look after her brothers, and keeping the house clean.
One day she is attacked by a boy who scars her for life on her face with a knife. Her world changes with a hatred for men. She finally leaves home and moves in with a "friend" who introduces her to prostitution to earn money.

The book goes backwards and forwards as we go through her life. She eventually ends up running her own brothel and changing her name to Ruby, she now has a girlfriend crystal and the story continues with life in the brothel and Ruby never forgetting the boy that scared her.
A really good gripping story.
Profile Image for Sandra R.
3,275 reviews45 followers
June 1, 2023
I listened to the audible audio version of this book and the narration was excellent. This is a well written, gritty, raw and down to earth drama set in England, following Ruby. How she became a prostitute at a young age, then eventually a madam, owning her own 'massage parlor'. The narration is third person, both from from her point of view and from several others as well.

This story is told in flashbacks between the present and past, following Ruby from a child of nine to present day. There are some uncomfortable scenes, violence, etc, so be aware of that before you delve in. A very gripping book. (NB - there is almost no intimate details when it comes to the prostitution or sex scenes - but lots of detail re the violence.)

I would advise to read this series in order, as characters continue on and events that happened in book one are referred to. However if you don't want to do that, then this story does stand alone.
Profile Image for Nessa.
1,826 reviews69 followers
November 4, 2024
I listened to this on audiobook. This is book 2 of 5 of The Working Girls Series.

So new author for me, but I love thrillers and it said this book was perfect for fans of Martina Cole, so I had high hopes of it being a great read, and I am happy to report that it was.

This story was full on entertaining, gritty, lots of action and so very well written. I really keeps you on your toes in anticipation as to what might happen next and how things will pan out.

The characters were all very well developed, strong and portrayed, pretty believable too.

I really enjoyed the narrator Susannah Freeman, she read the story well, gave each character their own unique voice and the story just flowed well.

I happy to say that I will be continuing with the series, so I am looking forward to getting into book 3 very shortly.
Profile Image for Diane.
926 reviews15 followers
December 6, 2019
Ruby is book two of the working girls series by Heather. In this book we get taken back to when Ruby was just a 9 year old girl called Trina. Trina has a run in with a nasty boy called Kyle who scars her and leaves her with unwanted emotional baggage that she takes with her into adulthood. Gilly a pimp that almost killed Ruby’s friend Crystal in book one The Mark also rears his ugly head again. This book is told in two timelines of how Trina copes with her attack and becomes Ruby, and also how as Ruby she copes with her past coming back to haunt her. This is another great read from Heather and my only complaint is that once I picked it up I couldn’t put it down. If this is your sort of genre then I highly recommend this book you won’t be disappointed.
Profile Image for deborah fanning.
93 reviews4 followers
July 3, 2020
I enjoyed this more than The Mark . I loved the tenacity of Trina/ Ruby’s character. I did also feel the book in the middle packed pace ! You knew what was going to happen with Josh and Calvin but I wished their intervention had been sooner !!
I also wanted the Shelley loose end to get tyed up . What happened to the necklace? However I was up till the early hours finishing Ruby as the pace increased at the end . I’m so glad horrible Kyle got his just deserts .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Nicholas Edensor.
191 reviews
October 23, 2022
Loving this series and it picks up where the last one left off with Gilly going to prison. This story focuses on another of the working girls; Ruby. The story goes back and forth explaining how Trina became Ruby. It's spans 5 years with Gilly getting released and wanting revenge. Also Ruby has a successful brothal which is threatened when I face from her past wants to exploit her and her business. Brilliant series. Starting book 3 Crystal now!
Profile Image for Dleech.
293 reviews5 followers
November 3, 2019
This I believe Ruby is the second in “the working girls” series. A thoroughly enjoyable story of Trina a young girl wanting to break away from her stifling family and abusive father only to turn to prostitution to fund her escape.

Many thanks to the publishers and netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Gail Marchant.
507 reviews2 followers
February 4, 2020
Another great book from Heather Burnside
Manchester Trina her life at home with her mother & brothers she feels annoyed she does not have the clothes like her friends & she has to look after her brothers

At 16 she leaves home & her life in the streets begin

Great insight in the world of prostitution

But when things are looking up the past catches up with her
Profile Image for Julia Jones.
81 reviews
December 12, 2019
Amazing

Wow just wow. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book the 2nd book in the working girls series. Can't wait to read Crystal which is book 3 in the series. Heather Burnside is definitely one of the best gangland authors out there in my opinion.
Profile Image for sue schofield.
50 reviews
January 6, 2020
Not the best book very slow and doesn’t really have anything going on till about 80% into the book. However having said that it won’t put me off reading the next one Chrystal because the first one is brilliant
Profile Image for ann richards.
2 reviews
February 26, 2020
Great book really enjoyed but would have liked to have know the outcome

Great book really enjoyed but would have liked to have known the outcome feel it ended to soon hope there’s a next book
1 review
April 13, 2020
Looking for a quick read, this is great for the garden or beech

Easy read, gripping and heart warming in one. One for the girls fighting back.
Looking for who the 3rd installment
Profile Image for Donna Louise Kay.
136 reviews
October 14, 2020
Wow

Blummin eck! Why has it taken me so long to pick up this lady's books?? I highly recommend this if you have a love of gangland but want something a tiny bit darker and a touch more brutal. Absolutely fantastic and I'm wasting no time in reading the third in this trilogy.
173 reviews2 followers
August 2, 2021
Brilliant book

First book I've read by Heather Burnside and it certainly won't be the last.I couldn't put it down. Trina was brought up in poverty. She left home at 16 changed her brname to Ruby and went on to prostitution.
Profile Image for Laura Hamilton.
721 reviews10 followers
June 18, 2023
More 4.5
Another great, gripping read from Heather Burnside.
The dual timeline was well done, the two ends of Ruby/Trina's story linked up as it came to it's conclusion. Looking forward to reading more of the series.
204 reviews1 follower
December 7, 2019
Can highly recommend this book. Loved the characters,
Very believable storyline. Have read a lot of Heathers books. Looking forward to book 3.
24 reviews
December 24, 2019
Fantastic read

I read it in a day it was so gripping thanks for another brilliant book can't wait to read more
Profile Image for Biff meechan.
359 reviews5 followers
January 3, 2020
Ruby⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Heather Burnside is a great story teller & I love reading her books .I am away to read the next book of the series ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Profile Image for Pam Mc Donnell.
117 reviews2 followers
January 5, 2020
Book 2 in the Working Girls series and what a book. Full of action and great description of the characters. Great twist at the end. Highly recommended.
181 reviews2 followers
January 23, 2020
I love Heathers books and was brilliant getting an insight it to Ruby's life. Lots of twists and turns and keeps you wanting to know more.
20 reviews2 followers
February 9, 2020
Must read

I choose 5 stars as the book got me gripped straight
Loving this author
Looking to forward to number 3
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews

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