Okay let me just start by saying I have been missing out. I have read gangland books by other authors and have not enjoyed the genre but Heather Atkinson has totally changed my mind. I can't believe I have not read more of her books if this one is anything to go by. I loved it from the start and I'm so glad I have found this authors work and I'll be definitely reading more, I want go get the rest of this series right now as it is Really good. I loved Toni and I loved seeing how she developed. This has all you would expect from a gangland thriller and more. Lots of action and gritty darkness. I am so in love! If you liked Jackie Collins Lucky series then you will love this.

An edgy, gritty, dark, gangland thriller that I loved! The McKay girls brought everything I thought they would. Secrets, violence and power. I flew through this page by page at a rapid pace. Val and Toni are equally engaging and realistic, and I could relate to both at different points in this plot, bringing to life the dilemma that blood is always thicker than water.

Atkinson writes addictive storylines with twists and excitement, creating a world the reader becomes completely absorbed into. The tense atmosphere is surreal, which is one of my favourite things about this author. You could never say these stories are predictable! The complex topics are written brilliantly, and you can feel the love between these girls. Loyal. Courageous. Survivors.

As one of my preferred genres, this is up with the best! Highly recommended for fans of this genre/author.

Wowza!! What a fantastic, gripping, mind-blowing and twisted gangland thriller. Ab-so-lutely LOVED IT!!

I really loved the fact that Toni and Val are friends/cousins. No matter what happens between them, they are together. This is further proved at the end of the story too. Toni is brash, loud and everything that Val isn't. After killing Uncle Roddy (he was abusing her), Toni seems to have a lust for blood - same as her brother Frankie.

I also found it interesting that only Val spoke up to Frankie without afraid of being chopped up. Everybody fears Frankie, including his sister Toni. But Val doesn't. I felt so sad for Val - things with Seb was going so well and poor thing had no idea what was in store for her. There's also a stalker incident here which was a tad creepy. This side story develops into something bigger in the second half of the story.

I loved the storytelling. This is my first Heather Atkinson book and definitely won't be the last. I cannot wait to catch up on the other gangland thrillers she's written. I loved the characters, the scene setting. The mystery is top-class! I was hooked on to the story and could not put it down until the end. I loved the ending. LOVED IT!!

If you are looking for a gripping, gritty and intense gangland thriller, I highly recommend you to give Wicked Girls by Heather Atkinson a try.

A well-written, gritty, fast-paced story, perfect for fans of gangland fiction. Though featuring characters who have previously appeared in other books of the Gallowburn series, Wicked Girls can be read as a standalone, or as a prequel to the rest of the series.

📚 CURRENT READ 📚.

Publication Date 1st Dec 2022
Boldwood Publication

So this is my first time reading a book by this author. I’m like WHAT ?! Why have I not read this authors books before as I just LOVED it!!

I’m doing my very first Book Blog with this Author/book and I can’t wait (3rd Dec).

So I’m one of these readers/reviewers that likes to stalk …… erm I mean look up the authors previous books. I’m obsessed reading things in order - even if they aren’t a series 🤣! I discovered this book was a prequel to 3-4 books that had already been published. So I have now bought those for my kindle - I’m so glad it was a prequel and won’t ruin the series.

The books are based jn Glasgow and being from Scotland myself, I do love when a book is based here and possibly I may recognise places.

As you know I love a gangland storyline and this is definitely a new author for me!!

Thanks @netgalley for this ARC …. #popular #popularpic #popularphoto #popularpage #popularnow #popularmagazine #PopularTV #PopularWorld #populardancetrends #popularwoodworking #PopularDemand #populartagsapp #popularity #popularitem #PopularAngels #PopularInk #populars #populares #populartags #popularPlaces #popularmusic #popularart #PopularMagazineIndonesia #popularculture #populargram #popularmemes #popularsong #popularpages #populargirls #popularmmosg

If you love gritty, gangland thrillers, this is a must read! The main characters, Toni and Val, are cousins connected by blood and criminality. The characterisation is excellent, it's set in Glasgow, there is plenty tension and an abundance of violence. A brilliant page turner with a dramatic and satisfying conclusion, which I recommend to lovers of the genre. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

When Toni's twelfth birthday is marred by a terrible crime, the wicked path of the girls looks set. A decade later, the McVay family aren't the unstoppable force they once were in the Glaswegian criminal underworld, but Frankie McVay, the up-and-coming prince, is determined to restore the family to its former glory by whatever means necessary. And the whole family are expected to help. His sister Toni shares her brother's blood lust, but Vallerie dreams of a quieter life, and when she meets and falls in love with Seb, as straight as Frankie is bent, as kind as Frankie is wicked, Val sees her way out.

Frankie and Toni are brother and sister, Valerie is their cousin. The story begins when the girls are twelve years old. Toni is now approaching her twentieth birthday. The story focuses mainly on Val. This is a well written gangland crime story that's gritty, gripping, tense, and twisted page turner. I have only read a couple of books in the Gallowburn series, but I was able to follow this story easily enough.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwookBooks and the author #HeatherAtkinson for my ARC of #WickedGirls in exchange for an honest review.

I’d like to thank Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Wicked Girls’ by Heather Atkinson in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Valerie has been best friends with her cousin Toni since childhood and together they work for Toni’s older brother Frankie who has psychopathic tendencies and a reputation for meting out his own type of justice as the head of Glasgow’s most feared criminal family the McVays. When Valerie starts dating Seb Robertson he takes her to meet his family and promises to take her away from a life of crime, but as she falls in love with him it soon becomes apparent that she doesn’t know him at all.

‘Wicked Girls’ tells of the early years of Valerie and Toni who are members of the McVay family and the event that happens at Toni’s twelfth birthday party that shapes their lives in the years to come. The story is powerful and gritty with a lot of bloodshed and unsavoury characters, especially Frankie and Toni who have a unique way of disposing of anyone who gets in their way. There’s all the adventure, suspense, excitement and twists and turns that we’ve come to expect from this author.

I Have Read Most Of Heather Atkinsons Novels .She Is A Blinding Author Who Always Delivers A Great Book.
Wicked Girls Is About A Young Toni mcvay and her cousin valerie .
At the start of the book it is toni mcvay birthday it is here that the reader sees that toni is abused by her uncle and nobody is going to help her it only valerie that wants to go to her aid.
toni and valerie are very close and into adulthood work for frankie mcvay as female enforcers but valerie then meets seb a blond apollo and wants to go straight will frankie or toni let her ?
Heather does it again she really Is A top author and as a fan a real treat to read her books .
A thrilling Rollercoaster of A read .Highly reccommended

Wow this book was brilliant I couldn't put it down . It was great to read about Val and Toni when they were younger . This is a must read .

Wicked Girls by Heather Atkinson

When Toni’s twelfth birthday is marred by a terrible crime, the wicked path of the girls looks set. A decade later, the McVay family aren't the unstoppable force they once were in the Glaswegian criminal underworld but Frankie McVay, the up-and-coming prince, is determined to restore the family to its former glory by whatever means necessary. And the whole family are expected to help.
Once again the author has come up with a brilliant book that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very last chapter.
I liked the fact that it is almost a prequel to the Toni McVay story and we get to find out what may have set her on the path into making a name for herself on the streets of Glasgow.
Another winner from the queen of crime Heather Atkinson

A fabulous, gritty story set in Glasgow. Toni and Valerie are seriously tough ladies, not the type you'd want to cross! Fast paced throughout, the story is very engaging.

Review - Wicked Girls by Heather Atkinson

"Cousins Valerie and Toni McVay have been best friends forever, and when you’re a McVay you need all the friends you can get."
- Heather Atkinson

Those who enjoy gangland plots will enjoy Wicked Girls by Heather Atkinson. Stunning and action-packed, this gritty novel has it all! It is my first time reading the author's work, but I understand some of the characters will be familiar to her fans.

Synopsis:
A devastating crime on Toni's twelfth birthday sets the girls on a dark path. After ten years, the McVay family isn't the powerful force they once were in the Glaswegian criminal underworld, but Frankie McVay, the up-and-coming prince, is determined to restore their standing. It is expected that the whole family participates.

While Toni shares Frankie's bloodlust, Valerie longs for a quieter life. The moment Val meets kindhearted Seb, she sees her way out. Can Val escape a family that wants to control and keep her in its grasp?

Wicked Girls is available on December 1st. My review will be featured on December 5th.

Thank you, BoldwoodBooks, Rachel's Random Resources, and NetGalley. Your kindness is appreciated!

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Another superb read. Heather Atkinson has written some absolutely amazing books, the characters and stories she creates are always first class. I don't know how or where the idea's come from but so glad she keeps coming up with new and fresh reads.

This time around, Wicked girls takes us back to the start for Toni and Valerie. If you have read the Gallowburn Series then you will be familiar with the main characters of this book.
Toni and Valerie are cousins, Part of the notorious McVay family.
This book shows us just how it all started for this family. What makes them into the characters we know and love in the previous books. It was good to go back to the start and see just what turned these two ladies into the women they have become. Family life certainly wasn't easy and it's clear while reading this book just what turned Toni into the iron woman she is today.
Valerie may seem like the one with her head screwed on, the one that is calm and in control but don't let her dog collar fool you. She is also a woman to be taken seriously and listened to.
There was superb tension throughout this book, the story kept me gripped and wanting more. absolutely gripping and a first class read. This author can certainly write a page turner.

now this book is just so good. I love this authors books but we finally see what turned Toni in to the cold hearted women she is. Toni and Frankie are brother and sister. Valerie is there cousin her parents have nothing to do with the McVay business. Valerie and Toni are so close. Frankie wants to rule Glasgow and he gets Valerie and Toni to put fear in to some of his rivals. but Valerie meets Seb and falls in love. but Frankie will never let Valerie leave the business there a lot of twists and turns in book and as always the antics hilarious i so recommend every book buy this author

This is a brilliant read and if you are a fan of gritty and tough gangland-style genres with strong female leads then this is one you should have on your list.

Toni and Val are cousins, they stand by each other through thick and thin and always have each other's back. The story starts in a shocking way when the girls are 12 years old, it gives a brief intro as to why Toni especially is so ferocious as she gets older. The main bulk of the story is told a few years later, Toni is coming up to her 20th birthday. When I say ferocious, she really is, but don't underestimate Val, many have and many have realised their mistake.

The girls have always known the lifestyle they have been brought up in is a violent one. They are part of the McVay family and you don't mess with them, especially Toni's brother Frankie. Just his name is enough for people to back off unless, of course, you are one of the rival families.

While Toni is definitely happy with her lifestyle, Val is not so much and wants more of a normal life. Toni would call it boring, but this is where the girls do differ. With Val wanting a different life it means that there are going to be times when she has to make some tough decisions. This becomes more evident when she finds a "nice, normal boyfriend", Seb shares the same interests, but he is a student and has a different calling in the way he sees his future.

I really enjoyed the dilemma that the author set out for Val. While she wants to continue a relationship with Seb, she doesn't want him to know how violent her family actually is. At some point, it is obvious that he is going to meet them though.

The relationship between Val and Toni is great and I can see why the girls are as they are. But having different futures is something that doesn't cross Toni's mind. Val has a job which Toni sees as pointless as Frankie pays them for doing the 'odd job' for him.

These girls are tough, they know how to look after themselves and they are not averse to using whatever means necessary to prove their point. The author has had to make these two tough and the back story of Toni when she was 12, gives relevance and a reason. The story focuses mainly on Val, I liked this as it meant I could see a different side to her, while Toni is the strong and quick-tempered one, Val is more the thinker, the planner and the plotter. It is this difference that means Val can see the bigger picture.

The tension of this story gets better and better as you read it. The sense of danger lurks on each page and it did make me wonder how on earth these two girls were going to get through. The ending of the book is quite a shock, and it gives a really good conclusion.

This is a tough and at times shocking story, it is full of tension and there are some great twists. the characters are fabulous and there are definitely some I was rooting for. If you like gangland crime thriller stories then this s one you definitely should have your eye on. It is one I would also recommend.

This is my second book by this author. I know I fell in love with her stories and I was really looking forward to reading another book by her hand. I can already tell you I was utterly bewitched by this one too.

Where do I start? First of all I love gangland crime. I admit they are often rather violent, but most of the gangs fight to protect their family. This word means a lot more for them than just being related. They often even have a stronger bond with the persons who stand by them than real family members. They not only want to keep their gang safe, but they also want to protect their turf. Barriers should be respected, but that's often where the problems start.They all want more. They all want to be number one and they don't use friendly conversations to achieve that. Oh no, betrayal, lies, violence, revenge... That's the name of the game.

Not every member of every gang wants to live that life forever. Some of them dream of something more peaceful. They want to break free, but that's one thing that is not easy to obtain. 

You can take a girl out of a gang, but can you take the gang out of the girl completely? 

I could not stop reading. Every time I finished a chapter, I just had to keep going. I laughed, was sometimes shocked and I cried. I do hope, with all my heart, this is the first book of a series. Sometimes maybe it was a bit over the top, but I did not mind at all. I just loved it. 5 stars 

(blogtour with Rachel)

Thank you

What a Fabulous book this I loved it because it's great to read how Toni grew up and become top dog.I have smiled reading this at Toni's antics and have felt so sad for Valerie who clearly wants a better life.Heather Atkinson is a superb writer and always has you hooked wanting more but I won't say anymore just 5*

Valerie and Toni were cousins
Frankie was Toni.s brother
They were always fighting with everyone else
Then Valerie met a boy called Seb
And was in love with him
I had an ARC

Thanks to Boldwood books and netgalley for letting me review this arc. wow what a book, this is where it all began for valerie and toni mcvay, cousins.
Toni invites cousin val to a party where she meets the dashing seb, they spend hours talking and find they have lots in common. Seb and val get together and a short while later they get engaged, val assumes seb will become a minister as he had said he dreamed about and val his wife. Is seb hiding something? Is he really who he says he is? Bloomin fantastic, couldnt put it down, its exciting, twists i didnt see coming. Highley recommend