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Tease
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…
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…
283 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 6, 2022
139 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
January 16, 2022
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 📖
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 📖
January 19, 2022
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.
December 23, 2021
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.
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.
January 27, 2022
Wow what a read
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.
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.
January 9, 2022
Wow, what an amazing, gripping read, it was so full of action and fast paced I couldn't out my kindle down, this is the best one by Karen so far.
January 8, 2022
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*.
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*.
August 27, 2023
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.
'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.
January 14, 2026
I enjoyed this book. It makes a change to have a crime thriller with no police involved. This novel the 2nd by Karen Woods I have read, centres on 2 nightclub owners who very much dislike each other. Stuck in the middle is Elsa whose boyfriend Clayton is the son of one of the gangsters involved. Her boyfriend’s mother Pamela a former pole dancer trains Elsa to perform in clubs so she can make some money to get away from her disaster of a mother who unknown to Elsa is the mistress of Clayton’s father. As secrets are revealed all hell brakes lose. Would be nice to see what becomes of Elsa in a follow up novel. I would have given this book a 5⭐️ rating, but the bad language in the book is a bit overdone. But the story is excellent and if you are Broad minded and don’t mind a lot bad language and erotic scenes you will enjoy this book.
January 3, 2022
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.
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.
February 7, 2022
Phew, what a ride, this book is hot.
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.
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.
April 6, 2023
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.
March 1, 2022
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.
April 5, 2022
Karen Woods does it again!!!
Another smash hit that I defo recommend. From beginning to end I was hooked. You can really get into it with the characters and feel their pain.
Seriously un-put-down-able
Another smash hit that I defo recommend. From beginning to end I was hooked. You can really get into it with the characters and feel their pain.
Seriously un-put-down-able
July 20, 2022
Brilliant book
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
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
August 8, 2022
Brilliant
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.
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.
October 23, 2022
Tease
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.
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.
January 15, 2022
Fabulous!
Karen Woods does it again with this roller coaster of a read...the Characters come alive, terrific storyline and plot...
Loved it from page 1...
Karen Woods does it again with this roller coaster of a read...the Characters come alive, terrific storyline and plot...
Loved it from page 1...
January 27, 2022
Unmissable
Brilliant couldn’t put it down ! can really sympathise with some of the characters in the book Love Karen woods Gritty northern books
Brilliant couldn’t put it down ! can really sympathise with some of the characters in the book Love Karen woods Gritty northern books
February 1, 2022
Loved this..
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
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
February 2, 2022
Brilliant
A total page Turner from start to finish twists and turns all the way through a cracking read. can't wait for the follow up
A total page Turner from start to finish twists and turns all the way through a cracking read. can't wait for the follow up
March 3, 2022
Just when you think that Karen Woods books can't get any better she smashes it with Tease cannot wait to read the follow up.
March 10, 2022
Brilliant read
So good.
Lots of twists
Read in 2 days just didn't want it to end.
Can't wait for the next book
A fantastic ending
So good.
Lots of twists
Read in 2 days just didn't want it to end.
Can't wait for the next book
A fantastic ending
March 12, 2022
Not sure about this one, might read more by the author.
April 11, 2022
Hooked
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
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
May 11, 2022
An easy read
May 14, 2022
Better then Martina Cole
A good and exciting read. A new author for me and am looking forward to reading more of her books. Once I started reading, didn't want to put it down.
A good and exciting read. A new author for me and am looking forward to reading more of her books. Once I started reading, didn't want to put it down.
December 4, 2022
Another fantastic book by Karen! Really enjoyed this book! Gripped me from start to finish! Woukd highly recommend!
December 29, 2022
Loved it
Love Martina cole and mandasue heller books .you are up there with the very best.I'm looking forward to reading all your other books.
Love Martina cole and mandasue heller books .you are up there with the very best.I'm looking forward to reading all your other books.
January 21, 2023
Too much like Martina but without as much blood
September 25, 2023
Loved it 😀
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews