What Happens When Love Is Just Another Move in a Dangerous Game?
Meenu Pillai’s Playing Ruthless dives deep into the darker edges of love, loyalty, and vengeance. This isn’t your typical romance—it’s a high-stakes emotional thriller with sharp twists, sizzling chemistry, and morally grey characters who play by their own rules. If you enjoy stories where passion blurs into obsession and power plays define relationships, this is the novel for you.
A Game of Love, Power, and Secrets
The book follows Aarya and Ahaan—two fiercely intelligent, emotionally scarred individuals who find themselves caught in an intricate game of dominance, deception, and unspoken feelings. Aarya is not your damsel in distress. She’s fierce, strategic, and driven by her own motives. Ahaan, on the other hand, is the epitome of cold charm—a man hardened by his past and willing to go to extreme lengths to protect what he believes is his.
Their connection isn’t built on traditional romance. Instead, it smolders in the subtext—the glances, the betrayals, the confessions veiled in silence. Meenu Pillai builds this slow-burning attraction with the tension of a psychological game. It’s not just a love story. It’s a duel.
What makes this book stand out is how it breaks away from the clichés of “perfect” characters. Both Aarya and Ahaan are messy, morally complex, and deeply flawed. Yet, that’s what makes their journey believable and unforgettable. You root for them not because they’re ideal—but because they’re real.
Writing That Cuts Deep
Pillai’s writing is cinematic and poetic, laced with tension that doesn’t let up. The chapters are tight, the pacing sharp, and the revelations perfectly timed. Every scene feels intentional—each word a part of the bigger strategy that both the characters and the author are playing.
The story cleverly oscillates between suspense and emotional vulnerability, giving readers moments to breathe before plunging them into another twist. Supporting characters add fuel to the fire, with subplots that heighten the stakes and force the protagonists into tighter corners.
There’s an undercurrent of social commentary woven into the narrative as well, touching upon power dynamics, gender roles, and emotional trauma—all of which make the characters’ choices more layered and understandable.
If you’re looking for a traditional “boy meets girl” romance, this might not be your jam. But if you crave stories where love is hard-won, brutal, and worth every tear—you’ll be hooked from page one.
Book Details
- ASIN : B0F315GS21
- Language : English
- File size : 2.6 MB
- Simultaneous device usage : Unlimited
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 315 pages
FAQs about Playing Ruthless
1. Is this book a romance or a thriller?
It’s a mix of both—psychological thriller with strong romantic undercurrents and emotional depth.
2. Are the characters morally ambiguous?
Yes, and that’s the appeal. Neither character is perfect, which adds to the realism and complexity.
3. Is it a standalone novel?
Yes, but fans of Meenu Pillai will recognize thematic links to her other work.
4. Is this suitable for all readers?
It’s geared toward mature readers due to emotional intensity and some graphic content.
5. Does the book have a conclusive ending?
Yes, it offers a satisfying and emotionally resonant conclusion.
About the Author
Meenu Pillai is an emerging voice in Indian fiction known for her bold, emotionally charged narratives. She explores themes like mental strength, trauma, and unconventional relationships, often centering on powerful yet vulnerable protagonists. With a background in psychology and literature, her stories dig beneath the surface, challenging societal norms and expectations. Pillai’s writing speaks to readers who love flawed characters, dark romance, and stories that make them think long after the last page.