#DGRFave & Review: Bitter Burn by Sierra Simone

September 30, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

BITTER BURN
Series: Lyonesse  #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance, MMF
Author: Sierra Simone
Release Date: September 30, 2025

I think it’s important that you know this about me, that you understand this: I’m not sorry.

I’d do it again.

After my husband died eight years ago, I made vengeance my only purpose, my religion, my destiny. But to get to my enemy, I had to make myself like him. He had a kingdom of secrets? Then I would make an empire. He had blood on his hands? Then I would bathe in it.

But Tristan and Isolde changed everything. I hadn’t counted on wanting them, needing them; I hadn’t counted on how it felt to watch the two of them fall in love. I’d thought I had everything under control—I’d thought I was safe from my own long-dead heart. I’d never imagined that the wronged husband, the jealous king from my childhood fairy tales, would be played by none other than me.

It no longer matters what I used to believe. My enemy is ready to finish the game, and for the first time in eight years, I have pieces on the board I can’t afford to lose. I’ll burn the entire world to keep Tristan and Isolde safe, I’ll scorch the earth—but as any good assassin will tell you, fire will only get a man so far, because there’s always something left in the ashes. And for the three of us, it’s the cold, bitter bones of the truth: their story begins and ends with me.

And every story needs a villain…

AMAZON

if I were the god of my own little world, I would have you and Tristan at my fingertips, and I would spend my days and nights afflicting you with my attention.

ALL OF THE STARS. ALL OF THEM. I am left utterly speechless and completely in awe. Sierra Simone’s words are an out of body experience. And that’s what this story was, an experience. Having read the books in this trilogy as they came out was a torture in its own right. But the wait for the conclusion after the jaw dropping cliffhanger in Honey Cut was extra painful. Having finished Bitter Burn, I can say with utmost certainty that this story was worth every agonizing second of the wait.

I was a man with muffled morals who’d made a god out of his country, so they offered me an altar to sacrifice on.

We got to be fully in the heads of Isolde and Tristan and it was finally Mark’s turn. And Mark Trevena, the man you are…

Oh God.”
“I’ve already told you that sir will do.

This beautifully broken soul completely enraptured me. Being inside his head was an experience like no other. Seeing his cunningness, his longness, his desperation, his fierce protectiveness and his sacrifice was something altogether holy.

If I could contain what I feel for the two of you,” breathes Mark, “if I could even express it, if I could even shape it to myself… my God. You have unmade in months what took years to create, and fool that I am, I am letting you.”

But the masterfulness that was this story is what had me binge reading well past my bedtime. And I’m old, so my bedtime is like 8:30. I was up until midnight, people. This was crazy for me. But I digress.

Though there were parts that felt a bit too focused on religion, it was all so masterfully woven together, that I barely noticed something that would likely bother me in any other book. Just when I thought I had my head wrapped around something, a twist would fly at me and leave me reeling…until the next one, and the next one. You can clearly see Sierra was playing the long game with Mark and oh man, the sheer brilliance of it left me speechless.

I might resent them for it some days,” he finishes softly, a little bitterly, “but they are forever safe from me. And I am no longer safe from them.”

Did I finish this book, or did it finish me? Definitely the latter. I finished it 2 nights ago and I still can’t seem to stop thinking about it.

If you loved Sierra’s New Camelot then you will be feral for Lyonesse. This is easily one of my top 3 favorite books I’ve read this year and that’s saying something because I’ve read some fantastic ones. This story had me in a chokehold and I’ll be thinking about it for weeks if not months.

If an MMF retelling of Tristan and Isolde with spies, secret societies, revenge, and some of the hottest sex scenes you will ever read sounds good, then you need this trilogy in your life.

Sierra Simone is a USA Today Bestselling former librarian (who spent too much time reading romance novels at the information desk.) She lives with her husband and family in Kansas City.

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#DGRFave & Review: Beautiful Torment by A. Zavarelli

September 26, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

BEAUTIFUL TORMENT
Genre: Dark Mafia Romance
Author: A Zavarelli
Release Date: September 26, 2025

They call him Il Diavolo

When the devil dressed in black crashes my wedding

I know he didn’t come to offer me his blessing

He came to collect what was always his

For months, he’s watched me from the shadows

Haunting me

Biding his time

Planning his revenge

Before he was King of the Cosa Nostra

I was fated to be his queen

I promised him forever

Now, he’s here to remind me what forever really means.

 

AMAZON

Beautiful torment. That’s what he is.

The way I have been waiting for this story! If you’ve read Zavarelli’s Society Trilogy, you may remember Angelo. And if you’ve read Kingdom Fall then you should definitely remember Angelo as Alessio’s best friend and a man set on revenge to find those who are responsible for setting him up and stealing years from his life.

He radiates darkness—the kind most people cross the street to avoid. It’s in the way he moves, the unmistakable imprint of danger some men carry in their DNA.

They call him Il Diavolo for a reason. He’s ruthless, methodical, soulless. His only focus is his vengeance. Once upon a time, Angelo and Abella were everything. And then she became his ruin and he became her most cherished memory.

Something feral lives inside him. It’s more than obsession. It feels like starvation laced with fury.

You will also remember Abella from Kingdom Fall and I loved being inside her head in her own. Even though she knows the fate of a woman inside the society is to be nothing more than an ornament, she’s made peace with it. Or at least in the only way she knows how. She’s engaged to a man who she will never love because the only man she ever did is lost to her forever. Until he shows up at her wedding to steal her away and to make her pay for the role she played in his downfall years ago.

Now let me tell you, the chemistry between these two was INCENDIARY. The way that Angelo hates that he wants her and yet can’t stay away from her is simply delicious. I couldn’t get enough of the push and pull between them.

Oh God,” she whimpers.
“I like it when you remember to say your prayers,” I tell her. “Such a respectable Italian principessa.”

I absolutely devoured this book. And I mean DEVOURED. I finished it in one sitting both needing answers and dreading being done. A Zavarelli’s books are simply my crack and I will never get enough. And now a new Society series spinoff? I am SHOOKETH and obsessed.

If you love dark mafia/secret society romance with an obsessed stalker, touch her and die vibes, and all the steam, look no further!

She was the softness to my brutality.


A. Zavarelli is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author of dark and contemporary romance.

When she’s not putting her characters through hell, she can usually be found watching bizarre and twisted documentaries in the name of research.

She currently lives in the Northwest with her lumberjack and an entire brood of fur babies.

Connect w/A. Zavarelli: 

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Check out more information on the books and authors coming this fall HERE—> https://under-world-kings.com

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#DGRFave & Review: Fair Trade by Millie Perez

August 14, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

FAIR TRADE
Series: New York Monarchs #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Millie Perez
Release Date: August 14, 2025

Nicholas Stonehaven is the devil.

The man was supposed to remain a stranger. A fond memory of a night I’ll never forget. Instead, I’m mortified to learn that my dirty little secret is now the new owner of the New York Monarchs, making him my boss. I tell myself I can handle this new development. I didn’t become the first female general manager in Major League Baseball without knowing how to handle a curveball. I make trades and close deals better than any other GM in the league. But when the arrogant billionaire offers me a contract I can’t refuse, it seems like I’ve earned myself another fancy, although temporary wife.

Luisa Álvarez is heaven sent.

When she’s not calling me Lucifer, that is. I can be a lot to handle. Hell, I use that to my advantage in the boardroom. But my experience as the CEO of a media enterprise did me no good when I inherited a professional baseball team from my estranged grandfather. I would have sold it off immediately, but even from six feet under, the old man held something over my head, and I couldn’t let it slip through my fingers. That’s how I found myself married to my Angel. She may be hung up on the fact that we made a deal and signed on the dotted line. But there is nothing fake about the way I feel for her or how she comes alive under my touch. We agreed to a fair trade, but now it’s time to renegotiate. Because when it comes to my wife, I never vowed to play fair.

AMAZON

I may be the devil, Luisa, but I am your devil. And don’t you forget it.”

I need you to stop everything that you’re doing right now and read this book immediately. EXPEDITIOUSLY! I’m so serious. This book is about to become my entire personality for the next several weeks and I need everyone to experience the greatness that was Luisa and Nick.

What’s your poison, Stonehaven?”
“Trust me, Luisa. If I had a poison, it would be you.”

Let’s talk about the trope candy here for a second, because we got: one night stand, enemies to lovers, hate lust, pining (all of the male pining), marriage of convenience, office romance (GM/Team Owner), and an absolute ball buster, fiery and take charge FMC that I loved almost as much as the MMC did

Oh, and Luisa? Please be careful when you call for the devil.” His tone is laced with amusement and warning all at once. “Because he just might show up.”

Luisa has fought tooth and nail for her career. As the first female GM not only does she have to deal with doubts and judgment because she’s young but also being a woman. She doesn’t shy from putting men in their place and I loved her take charge attitude.

Now let’s talk about Nick. After the death of his grandfather, Nick finds himself the new owner of a baseball team. As a self made billionaire, he’s a success in his own right, but he takes on the challenge. And Luisa is in for a shock of a lifetime when her fiery one night stand that she never expected to see again is now her new boss. And let me tell you, the sparks fly. OH BUT DO THEY FLY.

These two give as good as they get, and while Nick is pining, Luisa is fighting the attraction left right and center.

My flying heel barely misses Nick as he ducks. “Woman, are you mad? What the hell was that for?”
“I didn’t have a chancleta nearby, so a flying Louboutin will have to do.”

I’m not going to ruin the book for you by telling you anything else, but I will tell you that I had a big goofy smile on my face from cover to cover. It had everything; incredible banter, sizzling chemistry, fast paced story, great characters, male pining, and did I mention the pining? BECAUSE OMG THE PINING.

Lucifer,” I warn. He doesn’t stop until he rounds my desk and pins my ass to it. “Angel,” he all but growls.


It was one of those light hearted reads that just hit the spot so right and I can’t stop thinking about. I cannot recommend it enough for anyone looking for a book that has a little bit of everything; humor, chemistry, tension, emotion, and an MMC with an English accent and a FILTHY mouth. Le swoon.

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Review: Warrior by S. Massery

July 17, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

WARRIOR
Series: Sterling Falls Rogues #2
Genre: Dark Romance
Author: S. Massery 
Release Date: July 17, 2025

Everything that could go wrong—did.

Kade’s loyalties are tangled in something far more treacherous than any of us realized.

Reese seems desperate to make amends, and I hate to say, he’s growing on me.

And Artemis….

Well, she won’t wake up. According to Gabriel, she might not ever.

There has to be a cure—but only if I keep a level head. Grief and anger crash inside me, and if I lose my cool, I might lose her, too.

—
Nemesis must be read prior to Warrior for continuity.

AMAZON 

You’re the sweetest torture,”

Holy hell, the way I devoured this book. The plot twists, the revelations, the jaw dropping details! My head was spinning at the end, only tone hit in the head with that two by four to the head of a cliffy. MY. GOD.

The mystery of who Reese is, is finally revealed and wow wow wow was I not prepared for THAT. Of all the things I had thought, it definitely wasn’t THAT. And now Artemis’s reaction towards him in book one makes so much more sense.

While we spent most of Nemesis In Artemis’s head, we get a whole lot more of the men in this one. Particularly Saint and Reese. And the story development for Saint is truly EPIC. I won’t spoil it for you, but just trust me.

For those who love their why choose with some MM, prepare yourself for the most tension filled MM relationship development. I was salivating for more scenes with these two. SALIVATING.

Good boy.”
Fucking hell.
He smirks. “Like that?”
“No.”
“Liar,” he whispers.

GAH! I get giddy just thinking about them.

There is so many revelations in this book with just as many questions left by them. For a reader who can usually see the plot twists coming, the ones here managed to catch me completely by surprise. I was left reeling and grasping for more clues.

And that ending? PHYSICALLY PAINFUL. I’m not sure I’ll be able to survive the wait for the next book but man, I have ZERO regrets. This was deliciously dark, twisty, action packed, and exactly what I needed

S. Massery:

S. Massery is a dark romance author who loves injecting a good dose of suspense into her stories. She lives in Western Massachusetts with her dog, Alice.

Before adventuring into the world of writing, she went to college in Boston and held a wide variety of jobs–including working on a dude ranch in Wyoming (a personal highlight). She has a love affair with coffee and chocolate. When S. Massery isn’t writing, she can be found devouring books, playing outside with her dog, or trying to make people smile.

Author Links:

Website: http://smassery.com

Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/smassery

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Facebook: http://facebook.com/authorsmassery

Facebook Group: http://facebook.com/groups/smasserysquad

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Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/authorsmassery

 

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Review: Tenderfoot by Kristen Ashley

June 17, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

TENDERFOOT
Series: Avenging Angels #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Kristen Ashley
Release Date: June 17, 2025

Harlow O’Neill is waiting for Javier Montoya to make his move. She has it bad for the gorgeous new investigator at Nightingale Investigations and Security. She’s sure he knows it. She’s also sure he’s just as into her.

And she’s read the Rock Chick books. She knows how those Hottie Squad men are supposed to win their women.

Javi is just not trying to win her.

Then one evening Harlow is undercover on a mission for the Avenging Angels, and Javi blows her cover. She’s not happy about it. They share words and some of the ones Javi uses aren’t all that great.

Harlow retreats. Javi goes on the advance.

And the man Harlow was investigating winds up dead.

The Angels go all in to discover what’s happening with a dating app scam that ended up with a dead guy. The Nightingale men aren’t fans of the women wading in on such a dangerous case, and they’re doing something about it.

It’s a race between the Angels and the Hottie Squad as to who’s going to solve the mystery.

While all of that happens, Javi’s not taking any chances with Harlow’s safety. He moves her into his place and Harlow learns firsthand what it means to be in the romantic crosshairs of a member of the Hottie Squad…and the heartbreaking reasons why Javi kept her at arm’s length.

AMAZON

His gaze grew intent on me, so much so, I felt like I’d suddenly been engulfed in an inferno. “I want you so fucking much,” he growled.


Oh the way this book hit the spot for me. Heck, it hit spots I didn’t even know I had. I binge read it in a giddy fever and swear to you, if I was in a position to kick my feet as I did it, I would have.

Now Rock Chick Regret is one of my all time favorite Rock Chick books. If you haven’t met Hector OMG Chavez, you haven’t lived. And dare I say I now have a favorite from the Rock Chick spin off with Javier “Javi” Montoya. This man was everything. All the ovary tingling things. ALL OF THEM.

This isn’t a date. I’m getting mine.” Register guy started ringing me up.
“Mine’s with hers,” Javi repeated. “And I’m paying.”
Register guy looked to Javi. Javi pushed me out of his way, pulling out his wallet. “I can get my own dinner,” I told him.
He looked down at me. “I know you can. That doesn’t mean you are.”
“Okay then, I don’t want you to buy my dinner,” I returned.
Javi switched his attention to register guy. “She’s full of it because we’re fighting. This is a date and I’m buying her dinner.”

Do you SEE what I mean? THE SWOON.

Now if you’ve read this series then you’re already in love with this girl gang and I don’t have to convince you of their awesome. And if you haven’t, then you need to get on this immediately.

Harlow was impossible not to love with her sweet and caring nature and penchant for self soothing with Taylor Swift. She’s been lusting after Javier for as long as she’s known him, but he never gave signs that he wants to go there. And then he epically puts his foot in his mouth with his assumption of Harlow being the quintessential rich girl who is essentially slumming it with her friends. And while Harlow definitely comes from money, she still yearns for the one thing she never had; love and acceptance. I loved all of her vulnerable layers. But what I loved the most was the way that Javi immediately realized his mistake and pursues her relentlessly. And you don’t know woo until you read a KA alpha woo his woman. SWOON.

Now I gotta work to fix it, and I’m gonna do that, mi pequeña Lolita. I promise.”

Of course it wouldn’t be this series without the fun suspense subplot that runs parallel to the romance and I loved the way that both of those things seamlessly wove into the other.

This is the kind of romance book that made me fall in love with KA’s writing to begin with and it was pure nostalgia. I loved these two together so much. The story was emotional and the characters multilayered. My heart absolutely broke for Javi and everything he survived to be the man that he is. And I hope we continue some more development with that in the future books. I don’t want to spoil it and say with what, but you’ll see what I mean when you read it.

The romance was sheer perfection. No extra drama, no third act breakup. Just a man who gives his all for a woman who deserves it all. And mad oh man did I gobble it up. 

For more information on Kristen Ashley, visit: https://www.kristenashley.net/

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Review: Nemesis by S. Massery

June 5, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

NEMESIS
Series: Sterling Falls Rogues #1
Genre: Dark Romance
Author: S. Massery 
Release Date: June 5, 2025

A new darkness is seeping into Sterling Falls, and I’ve drawn its ire.

When a masked stranger declares he wants our ruin—mine, my brother’s, the whole town’s—I hope he’s bluffing.

A series of escalating events later, and it’s clear the threat is very present.
It’s not only present, but it drags up old nightmares from my past.

To keep my beloved city safe, I need to find this masked man and eliminate the threat.

I can’t do it on my own, but the three men poised to help are the ones I am almost certain I can’t trust.

Kade Laurent, the elusive and thrilling newcomer, leverages Olympus to get close to me.

Reese Avery, a ghost from my past, brings with him the trauma I’ve tried to bury. But he says he’s here to make amends…

Saint Hart, the partner of my dead best friend, and I will never get along. Especially since I’ve been tasked with keeping him alive. At least, I was convinced we were going to be mortal enemies forever—until we hate-screw in my kitchen…

Now things are all messed up, and I don’t know who I can rely on.

All I want is peace, but with danger climbing around me, it seems I’m destined for the opposite.

AMAZON 

You drive me insane. You’re…a glowing beacon in the dark, and I just want to smother you.”

Sometimes you finish a book, and other times the book finishes you. And this was most definitely the latter for me. I don’t know what I want to do first; beg and plead with the author for the next book, yell and rage over that ending, or send her my therapy bill. I’ll go with all of the above for a $100, Alex. Because OH MY GOD.

As a predominantly dark romance reader, truly good dark romance comes harder and harder to come by for me. One, because I’m a picky and moody sh*t. But also, because I find a lot of it to be full of gratuitous violence and shock value. But this book? This is what truly good, incredibly well written dark romance is about. That pit in your stomach feeling of dread and anxiety over turning the page because you have no idea what awaits you. The twists, the turns, all of it had me in such a choke hold that I couldn’t bring myself to put this book down for even a second.

I did myself a disservice by not reading the Sterling Falls series first, which this is a spinoff. Which I will be rectifying immediately. However, as this is also a brand new series, I had no issues keeping up.

The story is dark and I mean DARK, so definitely heed the trigger warnings because the story doesn’t mess around. Artemis’s story is full of trauma and true dark underbelly of humanity. She’s a survivor through and through and it was impossible not to fall in love with her take charge attitude. As the twin sister of the MMC in the Sterling Falls series, you’ll see the connection when you read it but I won’t spoil it for you.

This book is told mostly in Artemis’s POV with a few snippets into Saint, Reese and Kade. I love the way that the romantic element is paced to introduce each MMC in this story and what an introduction it was. Saint; her brother’s friend who lost the love of his life and still reeling from the loss, Preston; the blast from the past of the hell that Artemis survived, and Kade; the mysterious newcomer.

The romance is a s low build and I loved the way it developed. We only get a taste for it here and the hate/lust between Saint and Artemis was deliciously tantalizing. Reese is very much a mystery and Kade is a dark enigma that I couldn’t get enough of.

This was the edge of your seat kind of story that keeps you on bated breath and a razor’s edge without letting up. And just when you think you have some answers, you get hit in the head by a two by four that was the cliffhanger and are left absolutely reeling.

When I tell you that I am absolutely RABID for the next book, I am not even slightly exaggerating. I need answers desperately and will be rocking myself in a dark corner until the next release.

S. Massery:

S. Massery is a dark romance author who loves injecting a good dose of suspense into her stories. She lives in Western Massachusetts with her dog, Alice.

Before adventuring into the world of writing, she went to college in Boston and held a wide variety of jobs–including working on a dude ranch in Wyoming (a personal highlight). She has a love affair with coffee and chocolate. When S. Massery isn’t writing, she can be found devouring books, playing outside with her dog, or trying to make people smile.

Author Links:

Website: http://smassery.com

Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/smassery

Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/smassery

Facebook: http://facebook.com/authorsmassery

Facebook Group: http://facebook.com/groups/smasserysquad

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Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/authorsmassery

 

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Review: Beautiful Venom by Rina Kent

June 3, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

 

BEAUTIFUL VENOM
Series: Vipers #1
Author: Rina Kent
Genre: Dark Romance
Release Date: May 27, 2025

From New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Rina Kent comes a sizzling dark hockey romance set in a new glamorous secret world.

In a den of vipers, revenge is the deadliest venom.

They shattered my world; now, I’ll bring down theirs.
The problem? I have virtually no way to trace the puppet master.
My only lead: The Vipers.
An elite college hockey team that rules the ice—and the shadows beyond it.
To infiltrate their secret society, I set my sights on their weakest link.
Kane Davenport.
The charismatic captain and the lone green flag in a nest of serpents.
But too late, I realize I’ve enticed the most venomous snake.
Kane’s friendly façade hides a predator more dangerous than I imagined.
He quickly unveils the monster lurking beneath the surface.
A monster who lured me in only to trap me in a lethal game with no escape.


This book marks the beginning of a new chapter in the #Rinaverse. No other book should be read before this.

AMAZON

You’re a little rebellious wildflower that thinks it can survive anywhere. But guess what? I’m your winter, Dahlia. No flower can survive winter. Not even wildflowers.”


Oh how I’ve been waiting for this one! The anticipation, the finger licking anticipation I tell ya! And it was worth every second of the wait. Because Kane Davenport was the feral level of unhinged that I was immediately obsessed with. And Dahlia Thorne was the perfect ying to his uber possessive yang which I was so here for.

The Vipers introduces a set of all new characters that I’m super excited for. And if you’ve read Kiss the Villain, then you’ll definitely appreciate the crossover here. If you haven’t read that book yet, no worries, because this is the start of a new series. However, you may appreciate it that much more if you’ve met Kane’s uncle in that book. But I digress.

If you’re into the secret society trope like me, this is pure trope candy. Kane, along with his two best friends and fellow hockey teammates are all founding members of the Vendor society. A society that Dahlia recognizes by their rings. Dahlia is on a mission revenge and Kane and the Vencor society are her only in for answers to what happened to her foster sister. She’s willing to do whatever it takes to get into their space, even sign a deal with the devil.

You really should’ve run away while you had the chance. Welcome to hell, Dahlia.”

Kane Davenport is next level unhinged with a splash of sadistic tendencies and a taste for the type of brutality that most women run from. But to both of their surprise, Dahlia gets off on his brand of pain. These two were absolutely feral together. I loved that as hard as Kane pushes, Dahlia pushes right back. This girl has a backbone, even if it does land her in every crosshair she can find in the process.

The story was absolutely addictive and as much as I loved Kane and Dahlia, I was desperate for more insight into Kane’s two best friends; Jude and Preston. You just know their books will be good, especially when you find out who their books are with. But I won’t spoil that for you.

This gave me the perfect hit of Rinaverse I was craving while still leaving me desperate for more. The ending and the epilogues were perfect with giving us just the right amount of answers while still leaving some unanswered for the next book. And I for one am desperately anticipating Jude’s book after the preview in this one.

If you’re a fan of dark romance with hockey and secret society and an absolutely UNHINGED and uber possessive MMC, look no further! Welcome to your next addiction!

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Review: When She Unravels by Gabrielle Sands

June 2, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

 

WHEN SHE UNRAVELS
Series: The Fallen #1
Author: Gabrielle Sands
Genre: Dark Mafia Romance
Release Date: August 30, 2022

He’s the most powerful man in Ibiza, and he’ll do anything to make me his.

I’ve been raised to be the perfect mafia wife, but when my marriage turns into a horrific nightmare, I have no choice but to leave everything behind and start a new life.

I find myself alone in Ibiza—a place that swallows innocent girls like me alive. I’m robbed the day I arrive, left with nothing but a few euros and the clothes on my back.

My desperation leads me right to Damiano De Rossi. He rules over this island with an iron fist and beneath his strikingly handsome face lies a wicked darkness. I ask him for a job. He gives me far more than that—degradation, jealousy, and toe-curling lust.

When my resistance to him is all but gone, a secret is revealed, and we fall apart like a house of cards.

I know what I have to do. Run.

But when I try, I discover…he’s already got me bound.

Note: When She Unravels is an 18+ dark mafia romance with mature themes, profanity, and plenty of steam. It’s book one in The Fallen series but can be read as a standalone.

AMAZON

You’re a pig.”
He stands up and steps into my space. “No, I’m a wolf. And you’re a sheep that wandered into the wrong pasture.”

When I read Be With Me earlier last week, I was immediately kicking myself for not finding this author sooner. To say that I was hooked was an understatement. I immediately had to find and start her backlist. And when I tell you that I binge read this book in one night, I mean I BINGE read it. As someone who is constantly on the hunt for a good dark mafia romance, they get harder and harder to find. But I hit the jackpot with this author who is now an absolute auto buy for me.

Now if the blurb alone isn’t delicious enough to hook you, I’m not sure that we’re reading the same blurb. Because GAH.

Damiano and Valentina were absolutely sizzling together. Valentina is mafia princess who finds herself married to a monster due to a marriage contract set up by her don father. But when pushed too far, she escapes and finds herself hiding in Ibiza. With nothing to her name and in hiding and unable to use her real name, Valentina needs a job. And a popular nightclub seems to be the perfect solution. Unfortunately the nightclub is owned by a man who is as infuriating as he is handsome.

The push and pull between these two was absolutely delicious. I love their antagonistic start. But Damiano is not who he appears to be and when Vale realizes that she just walked into the lion’s den, she has nowhere left to run.

I thought I loved the first half of this book but it was nothing compared to the second half. I devoured it and couldn’t bring myself to set it down for even a minute. I loved these characters. I loved this story. And if you’re a fan of dark mafia romance like me, prepare yourself for your new addiction because this series IS IT.

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DGRFave & Review: Be With Me by Gabrielle Sands

May 14, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

BE WITH ME
Series: House of Ferraro #1
Author: Gabrielle Sands
Genre: Mafia Romance
Release Date: May 14, 2025

She’s the mayor-to-be’s perfect daughter. He’s the ruthless villain set to ruin her.I’ve spent my life putting others first. So when my father runs for New York City mayor—on a promise to take down the city’s most notorious crime family—I do what I always push my own dreams aside to help him win.

Until I wind up at the wrong party. Trapped in a bedroom with Romolo Ferraro—the dangerous, merciless youngest son of the man my father has sworn to destroy.

He terrifies me. He fascinates me. Six foot four and covered in tattoos, he’s everything I should avoid.

When he starts pursuing me, I know I’m just a pawn in his game. A means to an end. And yet… part of me wants to play along.

I tell myself it’s to protect my father’s campaign. But I’m not thinking about politics when Romolo’s rough hands slide over my skin, teaching me how good it feels to burn.

They say good girls don’t fall for the villain.

But maybe, I’m tired of being good.

~

Be With Me is book 1 in House of Ferraro, a series of interconnected standalones following the Ferraro brothers, where dark and sensual romance plays out against a backdrop of family secrets and mafia intrigue.

AMAZON

Mia Morales had infected my black heart with a virus that compelled me to do right by her. Fuck knows if I’d ever recover./i>

First of all, how is this my first Gabrielle Sands book and what rock have I been living under? An immediate binge on her backlist is incoming because I have been sleeping on this author and now kicking myself. My fellow mafia romance lovers, if you haven’t yet discovered Gabrielle Sands, you need to crawl out from under that rock right along with me. When I tell you that I binge read this book in one sitting, I mean I was GLUED to the pages from cover to cover.

I excelled at many things, but there was one thing I discovered a long time ago I was particularly good at—destroying people’s lives. Sometimes, I barely even had to try./i>

If you love a Romeo and Juliet vibe with a good girl/bad boy trope thrown in, prepare yourself because OH MY GOD. And if you love a good tortured antihero, then really prepare yourself because Romolo was IT.

Romolo is the Ferraro brother who gets sent in to get information no matter the cost; whether it be his fists, his manipulation, or something else entirely. And he’s damn good at it. Mia’s father poses a threat to his family because his entire campaign trail is on the platform of bringing organized crime down with a focus specifically on the Ferraro. And what better in than his daughter? But what he doesn’t anticipate is the sizzling connection between the two of them.

What exactly are you proposing?”
“Simple. You. Me. A sturdy bed with a headboard, and a box of condoms. Remember how you said I hadn’t earned you moaning my name? Let me fucking earn it.”/i>

Mia is the epitome of good girl with her savior complex when it comes to her friends and her agreeable nature at any cost when it comes to her father. While at first I thought these qualities would annoy me (because usually they would), they were somehow endearing with her. She just wanted love and a part of me really connected with that.

But what I loved even more is her unwilling attraction to Rom, no matter how hard she tried to fight it. Their chemistry was absolutely incendiary and I couldn’t get enough of them.

It’s eleven. If we leave now, you’ll be screaming it by midnight,” he said roughly./i>

As a huge mafia romance fan, I am so excited to find a new to me author to obsess over.

I read it obsessively and still find myself thinking about it days after finishing. It was everything I love in a mafia romance; gritty, action packed, and with just the right amount of steam. The story was addictive and the romance was sizzling. I’m completely obsessed and can’t recommend it enough for all my fellow mafia romance lovers out there!

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Review: Crescent Kingdom by Tessa Hale

April 23, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

CRESCENT KINGDOM
Series: The Wolves of Crescent Creek #1
Author: Tessa Hale
Genre: Why Choose Romance, PNR
Release Date: April 23, 2025

Never stop running. And no matter what, never let the world know who you really are.

I’ve spent my whole life hiding. Training. Preparing. Hoping that no one will discover my secrets. What I can do. Who I am. And I’ve gotten so good at it, sometimes even I forget.

Until them.

The wolf pack with a ruthless reputation and a penchant for revenge. The protective fighter. The charming Brit. The shy hacker. The silent mercenary. The cruel assassin.

They see more than anyone ever has before. And even with demons of their own, they give me sanctuary. A place to hide, to rest, and maybe even a place to belong.

Only it turns into so much more. Because when they touch me, everything around me ignites, and nothing matters but them.

But these wolves have secrets. And those secrets bring enemies. And when they find out who I really am?

It’s not their enemies I need to fear. It’s them.

AMAZON

Fuck. This woman would ruin me. But I’d happily go down in the rubble. For her.

First of all, how is this my first Tessa Hale book and what rock have I been living under? Second of all, I may need to rock myself in the corner somewhere with a bottle of wine after that ending. But regrets? I don’t has them.

I genuinely can’t remember the last time I binged a book like this. The last few months I seem to be dragging ass with everything, even books I enjoy. And I forgot that giddy feeling of finding a book so addictive that you simply can’t put it down. This story had me in a chokehold from the first chapter and had me reading everywhere I can squeeze in a page because I simply couldn’t bring myself to put it down for even a minute. If you like a sexy why choose shifter romance, look no further.

Now do you know what I love more than tortured MMCs? Tortured FMCs. And Wren has not just walked through the pits of hell, she survived the devil himself. She’s been on the run for years, constantly looking over her shoulder and with plenty of secrets to stay buried about who she is.

She’s done her damnest to hide who she is, so when she lands in the crosshairs of a sexy stranger, she’s terrified to learn that he’s a wolf. And when that stranger has a pack of 4 more equally sexy and tortured in their own way pack mates? Well, stick a fork in me, I’m done. The chemistry was through the roof in this book. And I loved the layers to Wren’s character. She may keep to herself but still waters run deep with her and she’s a survivor through and through. The more you learn about her, the more you can’t help but love her.

Then we meet her 5 sexy shifters and I couldn’t get enough of them; especially my grumpy and thinks the worst of everyone Ender.

When I tell you that I devoured this book, I mean I binge read it in one sitting. I am so thoroughly hooked and can’t wait for the next installment. I now need to rectify my life choices and read the entirety of Tessa’s backlist because WHERE HAVE I BEEN.

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