Reviews - One Dark Kiss: Deluxe Special Edition

104 reviews for:

One Dark Kiss: Deluxe Special Edition

Rebecca Zanetti

4.0 AVERAGE

sophiarose1816's review against another edition

4.25

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

A lady lawyer in way over her head with a powerful, possessive mafia alpha for a client smolders at the heart of One Dark Kiss, the second of the Grimm Bargains dark fantasy romance series. Rebecca Zanetti is an author I have long since come to tingle with anticipation over her sizzling romances and tight, intense plots.

With a Snow White and the Huntsman modern retelling, Zanetti introduces Rosalie, the lawyer come to represent Alexei who has sat in prison seven years for a murder charge leveled at keeping him from his position as rightful heir to the family business. Sweet Rosalie has a tiger by the tail when she accepted this big case to help pay for her cute pink Victorian home with her seven old gent boarders.

For Alexei who has planned a sinister revenge during his time behind bars, the first appearance of Rosalie is a sizzling bolt of lightning. He claims her in no uncertain terms and drags her into his dark, twisted world where he will take on all comers and burn the world down if he must to have his rightful place and Rosalie.

I've read her paranormal romances and her romantic suspenses, but this was a first entering her dark romance world. I confess to needing a huge adjustment period. I knew it was dark, but knowing and experiencing are two different things, right?

Rosalie seemed like a sweet gal who found herself in way over her head- though, props to Rosalie, she was one sharp lawyer and Alexei didn't have it all his own way. He was a monster and ruthless, but he was up against those who were evil and powerful. They shouldn't work, but they did (in a dark romance world).

Revenge, mafia leadership power struggle, intrigue, twists, hints about series arc plot, and a scorching hot opposites attract romance. Triggers galore.

The fantasy element was with magic crystals and the social media which was different. The fairytale motif was good and strong.

All in all, it was full impact from page one with the captivating main pair, their romance story, and Alexei's ruthless wresting of his rightful place back from evil stepmother was a burning page turner. Dark romance and fantasy fans are the target audience.

Content Warnings

katylizg's review against another edition

3.0

dark fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

weatherby3's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

This second book in the Grimm series is my favorite so far. But I said the same on the first book.
This story with Alexei and Rosalie. Alexei spent seven years in jail for murder that he may or may not have been responsible for. When his attorney died, Rosalie was assigned to his case. Since there was corruption between the judge and other officials, Alexei has a chance to be released.
Alexei’s family owns a social media company and he’s the only one strong enough to charge the family gems that keep the servers going.
Alexei will not let Rosalie go, she’s his for all time.
Rosalie is low on money and has seven older men as boarders. They all work together to keep the home going. As she learns more about her boarders, she’s bribed and framed for murders all around her that she had nothing to do with. And Alexei will do anything to keep her out of his business and keep her safe.

pages_and_papercrafts's review against another edition

4.25

This modern, dark romance with mob vibes and a bit of magical elements and fairytale vibes played out like movie in my mind. It was captivating and spicy, had an intriguing and intricate plot, complex characters and overall quite Snow White-esque (complete with seven “caregivers” and a villainous stepmother!). Rosalie, a lawyer for Alexi, finds herself the object of affection for her current client, Alexi, recently released from jail. She fights to clear his name, he seeks revenge and will let nothing-nothing!-come between them. Innocence x morally grey is such an intriguing plot driver that kept me captivated. I received a copy and my thoughts are honest and voluntary.
Thanks to the author and Hambright PR for the complimentary electronic copy.

knightsmoon's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

jay_em_elle's review against another edition

3.5

dark emotional medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

It took me about 10% of the book to get into the story. This is definitely one that gets better as you're reading it.
My one struggle with this one were the characters last name, came across as very childish when someone's last name is Molasses.
Apart from the names the rest of this was a fun read.

hladelano's review against another edition

3.0

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Alexei & Rosalie’s story is my favorite of the series so far! Alexei is the definition of “he’s only soft for her.” I love the scene where he bought her every kind of kitten heel after he had destroyed her favorite pair.

This story has a little of everything - dark (and very spicy) romance, action, mystery, and a dash of fantasy! Rosalie is a strong woman who isn’t afraid to stand up for herself, even to the head of the mafia.

The found family was my favorite part of the story. We have Rosalie and her two best friends, as well as her group of old men boarders who protect her.

There were so many twists and turns to the plot that kept me engaged. I’m hoping we might get Ella’s story next!

Read this if you love:
✨ morally grey characters
✨ billionaire & mafia romance
✨ possessive MMC
✨ found family
✨ dark fairytale retellings

While I enjoyed the story, so many parts were unrealistic (which I know isn’t the biggest factor in dark romance, but it just bothers my logical brain). The end didn’t clarify if Rosalie was able to stay a lawyer, or just gave it all up for Alexei. It was so much back and forth of her hating him for his actions and immediately forgiving him and sleeping with him. I appreciate how this second book explained a little more about the fantasy elements of the charging stones.

Audiobook thoughts: The narrators both did a great job, but I personally had to quit the audiobook and switch to the physical copy. The male narrator’s accent was accurate but it just didn’t sound attractive to me in a romance novel.

Thank you to Kensington Publishing for sending me a copy of this book. This review is voluntary, and all opinions expressed are my own.