Nicole Blanchard: Little Death

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/242701279-little-death

Book Blurb:

I should have known better than to play games with dangerous men.

Crashing a masquerade party for the most elite members of New Orleans was supposed to give me answers, not put me in the sights of the Irish mafia’s most enigmatic enforcer, Aiden O’Connor.

But when one reckless gamble binds me to him for a night, I learn too late that some wagers can’t be won.

What begins as a game spirals into obsession, temptation, and ruin.

Because Aiden doesn’t just want control for one night—he wants to break me in ways I’ll never escape unscathed.

Little Death is a dark romance novella and a prequel to Until Death. Some themes and scenes may be disturbing to readers. Please check the TWs at the beginning of the book.

Tropes:

*High Gravity ALC *Irish Mafia Romance *Masked FMC & MMC  *Masquerade party

*Mystery *One night only *Obsessive MMC *Dark Romance  *Trigger warnings (check them) 

*Spice *Enemies --> more *Prequel Novella  *State Challenge Louisiana (repeat)

Thoughts:

I received this ALC from High Gravity audio and it's not my usual type of book and I knew it would be darker so at first I wasn't planning to listen to this one, but I saw a few reviews from my friends and saw it was a shorter listen so decided to give it a chance.  

To start with we have Catriona (FMC) she is sneaking into her former home after it's been sold to an Irish billionaire who she doesn't know much about but she is on a mission and he happens to be throwing a masked party... works out for her maybe no one will notice she's even there she can go in look for what she needs and hopefully leave without being seen.

Unfortunately luck is not on her side and she ends up being witness to something she shouldn't... but now that Aiden (MMC) has seen her he's not going to let her go that easily.

Catriona's whole reason for being in the home was to find her mother's cell phone, her mother has recently passed away and even though as far as the police are concerned the case is closed... she feels something is off and maybe if she had her phone she could get them to re-open the investigation, she can't tell Aiden this information especially now after what she's seen tonight.

Knowing that Aiden is a gambling man she makes a bet with him, she loses and is now forced to spend the evening with this guy who is terrifying... and the most shocking part about it is she is drawn to this man in ways she can't explain, doesn't hurt that he's super hot (and Irish).

They have a night to remember... but it was just one night right?  

This has an amazing cast: Eric Nolan, Kasi Hollowell, Corvin King and Eboni Flowers.  Did I mention the MMC is Irish, that accent 💓.  

There really wasn't much plot or more than surface level info on our characters in this one as things got steamy pretty quick, and I didn't like some of the things our MMC said to the FMC during those times... but that could just be a me thing (also he is in the mafia... so there's that).  So low on plot but it does set up several things that we will hopefully find out more about throughout the rest of the series and I'm intrigued to find out more!  

Thank you to the author and High Gravity Audio for this ALC, I'm glad that I decided to listen to this one! 

Have you read this one?  What did you think? 

Rebecca Zanetti: One Shattered Crown

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/244187785-one-shattered-crown

Book Blurb:

Set in a steamy, neon-lit, high-tech world of magic, money, and explosive desire, this sultry, dark fairytale retelling offers a dystopian romantasy twist on Cinderella.

ELLA
It’s the wedding of the year—a lavish union of two powerhouses. But I’m only here for vengeance against the woman who stole my position as sole heir to my late father’s company, TimeGem Moments, and shipped me off to boarding school. I’ve only made more enemies since. Tonight is my chance to reclaim control. Tonight, TimeGem’s diamond-powered servers are this girl’s best friend. Unless he ruins everything. Justice Beathach, the groom’s unbearably hot brother, with hands built for war and a mouth that spells destruction. He’s lethal, unyielding, and now has me in his crosshairs . . .

JUSTICE
Ella Rendale almost killed my brother once. Now, at his own wedding, she’s almost done it again. I don’t care if he’s forgiven her or if she’s been wronged. I care about one thing: the locked flash drive she leaves behind, spelling my destruction. She can run, she can hide, but when I find her, she’ll give me what I want. But someone else wants her even more than I do—they want her dead. When our enemies close in, I’m forced to protect her, turning the fire between us into an uncontrollable weapon. Now, she’s not just my quarry—she’s my obsession. And I’ll kill anyone who even thinks of taking her from me . . .

Tropes:

*Netgalley/Hambright PR ARC *Fairy Tale Retelling (Cinderella) *mafia romance 

*action *spice *trigger warnings *Possessive MMC *Protective MMC *Magic system 

*dystopian *Dark romantasy 

Thoughts:

I’m going to do this review a bit differently because I wanted to like this book more, but I think it just didn’t fully land for me but I’m sure plenty of people will like it so I’m going to try to find this book the right audience.

Things I liked about this book:

I appreciated that Ella (FMC) was a total baddie she was smart and capable and was an expert at code.  She was frequently getting herself out of sticky situations.

Justice (MMC) I liked how protective he was towards Ella, her dog and even her godmother’s, he was a bad guy but just slightly softer for her.

The 3 godmothers- Super fun group of ladies and I’m so glad that Ella had them in her corner they taught her about code and watched her back.

I appreciated some of the fairy tale elements of Cinderella were kept like the evil step mother/step sisters. 

Our Ella might not of had mice but she did have a protective Dog

 Negatives:

*Ella would get captured by Justice only to escape him and he would chase her… while this was ok the first few times, it began to feel repetitive. 

*Ella played a cat and mouse game with Justice pretty much the whole book then towards the very end she’s just all of a sudden ok and on fully on board… like what?  Why did you run from him so much then girl he was trying to protect you!

*The spice for me was over the top/too much and happened at some odd times once it started… he gave her too many spanking (not shaming it if people are into that kind of thing) but acted like it was more of a punishment for her continuing to run away from him… you are still enemies right now of course she’s going to run she doesn’t feel truly safe!  And her step mom is trying to unalive her too.

*MMC runs with FMC through a crowded room with fingers in places they shouldn’t be in public like just wait till you get to a room!

If you are looking for a super elaborate world building where the “magic” system is explained this isn’t that type of book à

Basically this is a dystopian society where there are 4 main “social media companies” that are super rich/powerful and over the top aggressive as most of them are headed by mafia families. 

Ella’s father owned one of the top 4 and she was supposed to get the company in the will but her step-mom stole the company. 

 The Social media companies are powered by different gems (diamonds, cintrine, rhinestones etc…) à none of the lead characters know how this whole process works just that some people have the ability to power up different stones. 

The Gems can get infected with computer viruses and through the gem humans can receive the infection when they go to try to power up the gem stone.

The MMC has an infection from a gem and is in need of help clearing up this issue… we find that his brother had this happen in the previous book and Ella was responsible leading to the enemies à more trope.   

This is probably better enjoyed if you read the previous two books first as the characters from previous books come into play in this 3^rd book. 

I could figure things out well enough from reading this as a stand alone, and might at some point go to check out the first two books in the series. 

If you enjoy more of a mafia romance vibe with some scattered dystopian/fairy tale retelling vibes and magical crystals you might enjoy this one.

Have you read this series yet?  What did you think?  

Evie Rose: Accidentally Marrying the Mafia Don

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/250473047-accidentally-marrying-the-mafia-don

book blurb:

One tiny oops, and I’m married to a mafia boss.

I’m the stand-in maid of honour, he’s the silver fox uncle of the groom who saves the day when the wedding becomes a disaster, with a fluffy ring-bearer gone rogue, a drunk priest, and a child with perfect comic timing. But the dream Italian wedding continues, and the uncle—Dante—and I sign as witnesses. And if I try to flirt with him, I blame the romantic setting and the fact that although he’s twice my age, he’s the hottest man I’ve ever met. His edge of danger, with his tattoos and the way everyone is nervous of him, gossiping that he’s a morally gray billionaire, only makes me want him more. He turns me down with a touch to my cheek and a hoarse murmur that I’m too young and innocent for a man like him. Back at home, my dull little life doesn't compare. Then a wedding certificate arrives at my door. There’s been a mix up, and I’m married. To him.

Accidentally Marrying the Mafia Don is a sweet and spicy instalove romance with fluffy mafia romcom vibes and sizzling chemistry.

Duet narrated by gruff and growly Brandon Francis and light and relatable Zara Hampton-Brown.

*Netgalley ALC 2026 (2/12)  *Duet *Mafia Rom-Com  *Novella *"My Wife" *touch her and 💀

*Age Gap *spice  *quick read  *Insta Love/Lust  *Accidental Marriage *forced proximity *One Bed

*Young, Naive, inexperienced FMC x Experienced older man *Billionaire MMC *possessive MMC

Thoughts:

Ruby (FMC) is working as a hairdresser for a special client at a destination wedding in Italy when things begin to go downhill quickly with the wedding she manages to step into a new role as Maid of Honor since she can fit in one of the extra dresses and the other ladies are not well enough to stand.  She quickly finds herself wanting to do everything she can to give the bride and groom a perfect day... including keeping their dog from ruining the wedding photos... It also doesn't hurt that the brides handsome but dangerous looking Uncle is standing with her in her quest to make this day magical.

The story really falls to "Fluffy mafia romcom" but spent too much time on certain "funny" parts like I don't think in a story under 150 pages there needs to be this many pages about keeping a dog from licking their business... we get that it's a dog that's what they do.  

Ruby and Dante are pretty much immediately in love with each other after this brief encounter at the wedding but Dante is too ancient and his life is too dangerous to be with this sweet, younger woman who is around the same age as his niece in her early twenties.  (I joke about the ancient part as while this is addressed multiple times the guy is younger than me at 40).  

After going their seperate ways a few months later Ruby gets a surprise in the mail... after a mix up at the wedding venue she has received a marriage certificate... she was recorded in Italy as married to her handsome older gentleman and when she goes to the address listed she interrupts a "mafia boss" meeting due to the danger she is now in from her declaration Dante quickly requests she stay with him to keep "safe" while they work on getting their marriage annulled... only he doesn't want that it was love at first sight for him and he might just have to keep her with him until she realizes that they were made for each other.

This book was cute with flirty banter in places and a quick read/listen I didn't dislike the lead characters but there is not enough time for an actual build up of any back story everything feels on the rushed side.  Dante calls her by her nick name or "My Wife" 700 times (I didn't really count this), a lot of corny/cheesy scenes (including in the bedroom).  The FMC also spends too much time worried about being a "Perfect little wife"... girl just be you he loved you the way you are 3 minutes after meeting you.  

While not a bad read this one just missed the mark for me in a lot of places we only really have story with the lead couple with occasional other characters showing up but it's only surface level for everyone and I just didn't feel like I could get invested with the story or the characters.  

I felt the narrators did a good job for the most part the MMC while he has a nice voice it felt like he was doing his sultry/steamy/breathy voice for the whole book... kind of took me out of it at times I've never heard someone talk like that all the time and it didn't feel like a natural speaking voice.  

Have you read/listened to this one?  what did you think?  Have you read this author before?  

Maggie Evans: Hot For Hostage

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221548847-hot-for-hostage

Book Blurb:

Good girls don't take mafia bosses hostage... or fall in love with them.

Sadie Morris is a ball of sunshine wrapped in short pink overalls, pockets brimming with homemade dog treats, and an alarmingly passionate thirst for vengeance. Her idea of "fun" is volunteering at a rundown dog shelter.

I hate dogs. And volunteering. And fun.

But when a group of punks vandalize the shelter and steal one of Sadie's furry friends, she goes to the last person she should seek out for help getting him me. Davian Reed. Heir to the criminal empire that runs this city.

Cold, calculating, and raised by a ruthless father to own this city and everything in it—I was tied to the mafia from birth until death. Good girls knew to never come within a hundred feet of me.

That didn’t stop Sadie. When I brushed off her desperate plea for help, she didn’t even hesitate before snatching my friend’s gun and wiggling it at me like a seasoned bank robber—claiming she was taking me “hostage” until her dog was found.

She got my attention.

Her sob story might seem a little far-fetched, but few have the balls to ask me for help. Throw in her sweet curves and laughable demands, and I’m ready to see how this hostage situation plays out.

*Rom-com  *Mafia MMC  *Touch her and 💀 *FMC with a heart of gold  *insta lust/love vibes

*some spice  *close proximity  *age gap  *bubbly FMC  

Thoughts: 

Sadie (FMC) is a sweet college aged girl (who is in a culinary program) she loves to bake, she loves volunteering at the dog shelter and she has a lot of patience but is tired of these teenage vandals coming and tagging the shelter... the last straw is when they break in and steal one of her favorite dogs "Bear" and the police have been no help with getting him back or with getting the teens to back off it's time to take matters into her own hands.

While at the local ice cream shop to pass out missing posters she runs into Davian Reed (MMC) he is handsome, fierce and runs the city with his crime family.  Seeing an opportunity Sadie steals a weapon from Davian's number 1 guy and takes Davian hostage she has no plans to harm him she just wants help getting Bear back and knows that Davian means business and gets things done... he is a dangerous guy after all.  

If you are looking for a serious book... this is not going to be for you, this is a series of ridiculous events that have our couple getting closer together.  There is no real back story on either lead and we only know them superficially at best the main story takes place over the course of 2-3 days and they are already falling "in love" with each other if it seems fast it's because it is.  

This book started out cute and was sometimes funny throughout but I felt it was kind of repetitive and dragged a bit in the middle... I don't think this needed to be over 400 pages.  Our FMC was supposed to be sweet, quirky and naive but at times it was to the point where she was more obnoxious than cute... for example she's at Davian's "compound" finds a shed in the woods with a guy being held inside and tries to help get him out... girl who do you think put him there?  You do realize your new friend isn't a boyscout right?!!  She doesn't know how to read the room and is just a non-stop chatter box.  

Sometimes the quirky behavior worked for the FMC and sometimes it was just weird if I didn't know she was in culinary college I wouldn't have realized she was supposed to be in her early 20's she acted really young (immature).  I enjoyed Sadie's friends from the shelter they were friend goals!  

Davian isn't used to being bossed around... he is the boss and when this Pink haired cutie bursts into his world and adds color he can't help but fall for her and go along with whatever she says... even if it's going to rescue some dog from these teenage punks... only things go down hill and now there is a turf war with another family.  Could he really be with this bubbly girl who brings out his softer side?  Or will she be his weakness?  

Final Thoughts --> I would recommend this to the right people if they are in the mood for something light and not at all serious.  I enjoyed this book enough to finish it but some of the scenes were trying to hard to be like a sketch comedy show and just didn't work for me.  

Haven Blake: Beneath the Silence

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/241452382-beneath-the-silence

Sarah Brennan is a survivor as a teenager she was taken never to be seen again but against all odds she lived and made it her mission to help others who have been in her same situation or similar and she is just brilliant and driven enough to do it and now with her family runs a company that does just that and helps locate people who most thought would never be found.

Sarah is resourceful and a hard worker but after so many years of dealing with the darker side of life she feels a much needed break is in order and when an opportunity presents itself in the form of a Nanny position for a powerful man of business she takes it she could use this time to relax and it doesn't hurt that the twins are adorable.

Benny Silva is a leader he is powerful he is used to people doing what he says and goes after what he wants, Sarah enters his world and things begin to shake up she's not afraid of him or to tell him that maybe things could be done differently and still have the same end results.

While it was supposed to be a short term position the longer Sarah is with him the more he begins to wonder how he could extend her stay... could she maybe stay with him forever?  But with danger closing in from multiple sides and a past closing in on them is anywhere safe?  

*2026  *Indie Author  *Mafia Romance *Nanny  *Single Dad  *dark past history  *Fierce FMC  *Touch her and 💀 *protective MMC *found family  *Danger *PTSD  *Spice

*Trigger Warnings --> check them before reading 

Thoughts:

Sarah is driven and fierce while she loves her family she truly has never been the same since her experience as a teenager and maybe feels like she truly doesn't fit in anywhere.  She is a work-a-holic so her idea of a break involves going to a less stressful job.

Benny is a powerful man he takes being a leader seriously and also wants to keep his work life and his life with his children as seperate as possible... he wants them to have a loving home life and he doesn't want to bring the darkness from his work home to his children when Sarah comes into their lives what starts out as temporary becomes so much more she not only makes his life more vibrant but the children are opening up to her in ways he didn't think were possible.

I loved seeing these two characters let down their walls and let each other in, Sarah has her guards in place for known reasons and Benny for his but he's at heart a protector and I love a protective MMC sign me right up!  

While this isn't my normal kind of read (I don't usually read stuff with darker vibes) I love supporting Indie authors and have been finding a lot of amazing books I wouldn't have found otherwise if I hadn't left my comfort reading zone.  

This had me on a roller coaster of emotions there was suspense/drama/love/darkness/moments of family togetherness. I was proud of Sarah for over coming something truly awful and not only just surviving but thriving and helping other families find the closure they needed she wasn't hiding behind the MMC she was his partner fighting with him.  I loved Benny and how he was cold and powerful but soft for her and his children.

A few additional things I would say about the book is that I wasn't entirely sure how much time had passed in the book at any given time and she was their nanny at one point but then started going back to work at her other job at one point and still living with Benny and his family... so is she still the Nanny?  or is that done with now?  She was working for her families company and she was a Doctor as well taking care of some patients... this girl is doing it all and maybe she's doing a bit too much (?) 

I did enjoy this book and I'm looking forward to the next in the series, which happens to be releasing soon so I finished it just in time!