Unhinged, indulgent fun is really the only way to describe this series. It’s spicy, addictive, and darkly funny in the best of ways, and each installment has me tearing through the chapters. I devoured all 500 pages of this in 24 hours, and my only regret is that now I have to wait months for the next one. I seriously enjoyed every bit of this wild ride, and it is definitely QUITE the wild ride, lol. I don’t actually know how to describe the plot without it sounding outrageous and wholly problematic (which it is, honestly), but it was SO much fun. I couldn’t help but love the antihero at the heart of it, and watching him fall for his perfect match was incredibly entertaining. It’s playful and sexy and a little chaotic, but underneath that is a layered and nuanced romance. I applaud Tilly for making me love a story with so many red flags (sooo many), and that is exactly what she did.
The story follows Val (25), a woman whose half brother is a mafia boss. Or at least that’s what she assumes – the two aren’t all that close, and she can’t exactly google the details. So, while Val has a connection to the underworld, it doesn’t affect her day-to-day life all that much. When she meets a sinfully handsome stranger at the airport, they seem to bond quickly – and in ways that are out of character for the sweet and self-conscious Val. She’s hopeful that the spark between them doesn’t fizzle out after that first encounter, and is delighted when Dom (41) continues to pursue her afterwards. But little does Val know that Dom has some secrets of his own, and her connection to the mafia pales in comparison.
This particular love story felt the most interconnected so far in the series – I think you’d still enjoy it as a standalone, but it’s a million times better with the context of the first two books. Those first two books will also prepare you for the level of unhinged chaos in this one; I’m so desensitized to all of the red flags at this point that they just made me chuckle, lol. Val, girl, there were some pretty clear signs of trouble ahead. Yeah, Dom is a bad, bad boy when he’s trying to get his way. I enjoyed the first act but was also waiting for the other shoe to drop, and I loved the tension that’s created in the aftermath. It didn’t follow the path I predicted, so the unraveling was even more engaging. Dom and Val were great together, especially once everything was out in the open, and I loved seeing what a sweet man Dom could be. It’s so compelling to read about a tattooed, intimidating, and dangerous man being so absolutely head over heels for his girl. And the spice didn’t hurt either. If you haven’t read the other books in the series, then some of his actions might be too much to handle, but I understood where he was coming from. Lots of potentially triggering content in this story though, so be sure to check out the CW if needed. I just sat back and enjoyed the ride, and I can’t wait to see where the series goes from here. It’s been pretty fantastic so far.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/45KM3LD
Blurb:
VAL
When I was nine, I went to my first funeral. Along with accepting my father’s death, I had to accept new and awful truths I wasn’t prepared for.
When I was nineteen, I went to my mother’s funeral. We weren’t close, but with her gone, I became more alone than ever before.
Sure, I have a half-brother who runs The Alliance. And yeah, he’s given me his protection – in the form of a bodyguard and chauffer. But I don’t have anyone that really knows me. No one to really love me.
Until I meet him. The man in the airport.
And when one chance meeting turns into something hotter, something more serious, I let myself believe that maybe he’s the one. Maybe this man is the one who will finally save me from my loneliness. The one to give me the family I’ve always craved.
DOM
The mafia is in my blood. It’s what I do.
So when that blood is spilled and one funeral turns into three, drastic measures need to be taken.
And when this battle turns into a war, I’m going to need more men. More power.
I’m going to need The Alliance.
And I’ll become a member. By any means necessary.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/45KM3LD
More from the series!
The series actually starts with Nero, but I personally think King is a better introduction to the vibe. Other than one particular scene that made me clutch my pearls, it was tamer and also easy to read as a standalone. The titular antihero reacts quickly and finds himself kidnapping a woman, which sets off a series of darkly funny and deliciously addictive events. I loved every minute of it! If you really want to get into Dom, I highly recommend starting with King first. And if you want to start with Nero instead, that’s cool too – just know it’s more unhinged!
Details on King below, or check out my review of Nero here
Blurb:
Okay, so, my bad for assuming the guy I was going on a date with wasn’t married. And my bad for taking him to a friend’s house for dinner, only to find out my friend is also friends with his wife. Because, in fact, he ismarried. And she happens to be at my friend’s house because her husband was busy working.
Confused? So am I.
Unsurprisingly, my date’s wife is super angry about finding out that her husband is a cheating asshole.
Girl, I get it.
Then, to make matters more convoluted, there is the man sitting next to my date’s wife. A man named King, who is apparently her brother, and who lives up to his name.
And since my date is a two-timing prick, I’m not going to feel bad about drooling over King, especially since I’ll never see him again.
Or at least I don’t plan to.
I plan to take an Uber to the cheater’s apartment to get my car keys.
I plan for it to be quick.
And if I had to list a thousand possible outcomes… witnessing my date’s murder, being kidnapped by his killer, and then being forced to marry the super attractive but clearly deranged crime lord, would not have been on my Bingo card.
But alas, here I am.
Read the review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3OaKalr
About the Author:
Like all her books, S.J. Tilly resides in the glorious state of Minnesota, where she was born and raised. To avoid the freezing cold winters, S.J. enjoys burying her head in books, whether to read them or write them or listen to them.
When she’s not busy writing her contemporary smut, she can be found lounging with her husband and their herd of rescue boxers. And when the weather permits she loves putting her compost to use in the garden, pretending to know what she’s doing. The neighbors may not like the flowery mayhem of her yard, but the bees sure do. And really, that’s more important.
To stay up to date on all things Tilly, make sure to follow her on her socials, join her newsletter, and interact whenever you feel like it! Links to everything on her website www.sjtilly.com
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