Karla R.

Fast paced and suspenseful

Revisado: 04-12-25

4.5/5 stars

Fast paced and suspenseful. Can't wait to read the next installment. Check trigger and content warnings before starting. There is graphic violence and SA mentioned.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Short, sweet, and sexy

Revisado: 12-10-24

A nice morsel of holiday fun in a sweet short story. I really enjoyed the characters and the narrator did an great job.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Hooked from the start!

Revisado: 09-04-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

5/5 stars
3/5 spice

Tropes:
Paranormal romance
Necromancer FMC
Morally grey MMC
Ghosts & Devils
Soulmates
Touch her and d!e vibes
Deadly trials
Single POV

I really loved this book. I was completely immersed in the trials and the storyline. I didn't see the plot twist coming and was on the edge of my seat. The spice was spicing, but it also fit in with the character arcs and plot. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator did an amazing job with all the voices. She was animated and delivered with each personality.

I really liked Ofelia. She meant business and was ready to go through hell for her sister. I could go on and on about the MMC, Blackwell, but it's just enough to know he's just 😚🤌🏽 Protective, possessive, and morally grey... but also, he takes care of her 🥹🫶🏽

Overall, it was a great dark fantasy/paranormal romance that I highly recommend for fans of spooky vibes and deadly games/trials. There is graphic violence and gore in this book, so please be aware before starting.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Love the diversity and characters

Revisado: 08-26-24

3.5/5 stars
2/5 spice

I reeeeealy did like characters and diversity but it was a bit predictable. Overall, I had a fun time listening. I will still read the next book because I'm curious about who they'll end up with.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Got my heart broken but I'm ok with it

Revisado: 08-23-24

4.5/5 stars
4/5 spice

I knew this was gonna break my heart but I still enjoyed the journey. It took me awhile to start the second book in this duology because I was still reeling from the first one. But I got what I needed from this book... the groveling, the redemption, the love, and the heart breaking conclusion.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Dark, mysterious, and full of spice

Revisado: 05-20-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

I just love LOVE it when narrators bring the characters to life instead of just reading the book. This was my first time listening to these narrators, and they did NOT miss the mark. Both Kayla and Adriel have many layers to their personalities, and you could definitely hear that in the narrators' portrayal.

As far as the story. Loved it! My full review is below (copied from my previous review of the ebook posted on 1/9/24). Thank you to the author for giving me an ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.

5/5 stars
3/5 spice

It's always bittersweet when you come to the end of a series, but I'm so happy that everyone got their HEA. This one was definitely on the darkest side of the series, and I absolutely loved it!

Tropes:
Masked Stalker Romance
Vigilante Serial K!ller
Twisty & Emotional
Jealous & Possessive
Touch Her and D!e
He's only soft with her
Girl Next Door
Trauma Bonding
Multiple POVs

I know to expect plot twists with Lilian's books, but they do manage to surprise me. I really loved how the vigilante story panned out, and you came to sympathize with them. I didn't expect the parallel stories of two serial killers, but it was perfectly intertwined by the end with a lovely plot twist. The character arc for Kayla made sense and developed organically... it didn't feel like she was pushed into who she became, and I loved that for her.

Overall, I highly recommend this series for anyone who likes dark romances. The series grows progressively darker by the 4th book, and I would also recommend reading from the beginning.

Trigger/Content warnings:
Death, explicit violence, blood, suicidal thoughts from side character, trafficking, SA (as a memory), sexual content, explicit language

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Sunshine & Ace

Revisado: 03-19-24

I loved this story so much! The way these two just clicked together and grew as friends was just so perfect.

Tropes:
Strangers to friends to lovers
Tattoo artist MMC
Photographer FMC
Close proximity
He takes care of her
Banter
Dual POV

Iloved how easily Harlow and Acyn were able to banter back and forth... even when he was being annoying lol. But the way they feel into an easy friendship was just so natural. It was great seeing her get what she deserved and finally being treated like a queen. I accidentally read this series out of order but it didn't spoil this book at all. The narrators did amazing bringing these characters to life. I can't wait to read/listen to the other books.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Another great story with fun characters

Revisado: 02-05-24

4.5/5 stars
2/5 spice

Tropes:
Fake dating
Forced proximity
Secret pining
Afro Latinx rep 🇵🇷
Family dynamics
Slow burn
Dual POV

This is not my first book from this author but I love everything that I've read from her. Vanessa and Jason had the chemistry and their interactions were fun to listen to. The narrators did an amazing job bringing each character's personality to life but also embodying the family's culture throughout the story. The story has a bit of a slow burn but once that spice hits its hits HARD. There's a tiny 3rd act break up but it's necessary for the character growth.

Overall, a fun, quick listen with an entertaining storyline and likeable main characters that are easy to love. Highly recommend for fans of fake dating and a diverse cast of characters.

Trigger/Content warnings:
Mentions bullying, adultery, and classism. Sexual content and explicit language

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Love this story & the narrators performance!

Revisado: 02-04-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

***Original review on ebook after audiobook review***

5/5 stars

Narrated by Jason Clarke and Ramona Master

OMG this story just CAME. TO. LIFE.
The narrators did an amazing job with bringing the characters' personalities alive. I loved how each character had a distinct voice that made it all the more entertaining to hear. From my previous review, you know I already love the story. So this is basically a review on how well the narrators did. This will not be the last time I pick an audiobook narrated by them.

5/5 stars
3/5 spice

"She stares down at me. A cold, calculating grin slithers to both corners of her mouth as she settles on top of me, lowering a blade against my Adam’s apple. I think I’m in love."

Tropes:
Frenemies to lovers
Forbidden romance
Sister's fiancée
Obsessed hero
Assassin heroine
Mental health rep
Touch her and die
He falls first
Dual POV

I knew this one was going to be fiery and full of amazing banter... and it did NOT disappoint. Even though this is the third in the series, it can be read as a standalone. Gio and Iseult, aka Red, are a perfect match for each other in wits, passion, and skill. I loved how every time Iseult would threaten Gio, he would counter with how much he liked it. It was the best... *chefs kiss*

I also really liked how mental health was represented. As tough and independent as Iseult was, she had vulnerability when she suffered her panic attacks. And I loved how supportive and protective Gio was with her so she could start to heal. I was so happy to see her start to accept herself, scars and all, so she could allow herself to be happy and fall in love.

If you love spice, then this book has just the right amount. You get spicy scene early on, and it's all angry and full of power play but super fun. Their passion is explosive, and it was nice seeing the progression of their intimacy turn into love...

There are some dark themes in this book, so please check trigger warnings before starting to read. Stay safe!

Overall, I highly recommend this book for fans of dark mafia romances with lots of tension, banter, and an amazing plot twist.

Thank you to the author for giving me an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.

Trigger/Content warnings:
Violence, kidnapping, abuse, fire injury, death of parent, explicit sexual content and language, PTSD, panic attacks, murder, torture

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Soooo much angst

Revisado: 11-16-23 El oyente recibió este título gratis

(Audiobook review with original ebook review attached)

OMG, the narrators did soooo well with this book. I really love this series, so I was super excited to get them on audio. This was my first time hearing Troy Duran & Brooke Daniels narrating but it won't be my last time.

Raph & Nicolette were always meant to be. Hearing their story come alive was a treat and added that extra bit of angst that the author always gives us in her stories.

If you're a dark romance reader who enjoys the spice & a great plot, you HAVE to check out the Messina Crime Family series. The first 3 books are available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited.

(Ebook review)
5/5 stars
4/5 spice

Good Lord, the tension and angst in this book could set you on fire, it was so hot.

Tropes:
Forbidden romance
Secret pining
Age gap (17 years)
Forced proximity
Mafia romance
Virgin FMC
Widower MMC
Dual POV

"I loved him in silence then, and I continue to love him in silence now. Love doesn’t simply cease to exist just because we want it to."

Raph and Nicolette are my new favorite book couple. The angst and pining these two had for each other was so heart breaking to watch. I was right there with Nicolette wondering if it was all real when they finally gave in to their attraction.

The plot was slow in this one compared to everything that happened in the first book. But once it hit the plot twist it was an avalanche of "OMG moments" and things unraveled quickly. I actually loved how the majority of the book centered around the growing relationship with Raph and Nicolette. You got to see how much they meant to each other from the very beginning, and neither one of them knew... uuuugh the pining.

Overall, this was a sexy, romantic, love story that was full of emotions and twists. I highly recommend for fans of forbidden romance and age gap.

I received an ARC by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered freely.

Trigger/Content warnings:
Violence, murder, blood, fighting, emotional abuse, manipulation, gaslighting, bullying, mentions infertility, cheating, adultery, death, graphic sexual content, explicit language

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña