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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
Whilst I liked the 'Mafia' element. The romance was no existent. It felt forced i just didnt coneft with anyone really. I think this needed to be longer to flesh everything out more.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
When a friend asked if Malice was like any of CoraLee June’s other books, the only answer I had is that this book is like Sunshine and Bullets and the Debt of Passion Duet had a depraved mafia baby. If you already fell in love with those books or even if Cora is a new to you author, this book is going to check all of your dark romance boxes.
Juliet finds herself becoming a possession of Malice after her relationship with his sister has him designating her as a rat. Juliet does not fit any stereotypes of leading ladies; she has vulnerability from her mom’s disappearance and she has an independent streak from scraping by as her beloved Grams’ caregiver. But beyond those sides of herself, she has darkness in her soul and Malice makes it his mission to call it out of her and force her to accept it and revel in it. Cora did write this book as a mafia romance, so as expected, Juliet is witness to the criminal underbelly of business, including the battle against a surprisingly named villain that has been plaguing the Civella family.
This is a reverse harem, but you should know not to expect an easy union, built with comforting bonds, with only tender moments of jealousy, solved by fairly splitting time with the female lead. Not here. Instead, Cora gives us a harem that is certainly turbulent, but absolutely feels authentic. This book is a prime example of Cora’s insane ability to write characters that come off of the pages and wholly embody the personalities she has created for them. First there is William, the previously silent stranger that pined for Juliet for years and feels betrayal at the possibility that she could belong to his older brother, the same brother whose leadership he rebels against. Nick leads the Kansas City mob from the seat of his Civella family mansion and although his brothers revel in crime alongside him, it is clear that he is king here and that is reflected in the harem. The youngest brother, Anthony, has serious trauma in his past and while he’s clearly got some psychopathic tendencies, he also immediately builds an emotional connection to Juliet, likely by recognizing her internal traumas and the way she doesn’t ask for more than he can give. The four of these people navigating the waters of their forming relationships alongside their collection of traumas and personal issues is absolutely the heart of this deliciously volatile journey.
The most important relationship in this book, and the most poignant, is the one between Juliet and her grandma. Grams was modeled after Cora’s lovely Memaw and you can certainly feel how much Cora cherished that relationship when you read the scenes. Grams is a spicy number that calls things as she sees them and doesn’t seem to bat an eye at Juliet’s non-traditional relationships, as long as she’s finding her true happiness. Do not skip the author’s note at the end of the book because Cora gives a lovely glimpse into the phenomenal woman that her Memaw was that will have you laughing and crying in equal measure.
Juliet finds herself becoming a possession of Malice after her relationship with his sister has him designating her as a rat. Juliet does not fit any stereotypes of leading ladies; she has vulnerability from her mom’s disappearance and she has an independent streak from scraping by as her beloved Grams’ caregiver. But beyond those sides of herself, she has darkness in her soul and Malice makes it his mission to call it out of her and force her to accept it and revel in it. Cora did write this book as a mafia romance, so as expected, Juliet is witness to the criminal underbelly of business, including the battle against a surprisingly named villain that has been plaguing the Civella family.
This is a reverse harem, but you should know not to expect an easy union, built with comforting bonds, with only tender moments of jealousy, solved by fairly splitting time with the female lead. Not here. Instead, Cora gives us a harem that is certainly turbulent, but absolutely feels authentic. This book is a prime example of Cora’s insane ability to write characters that come off of the pages and wholly embody the personalities she has created for them. First there is William, the previously silent stranger that pined for Juliet for years and feels betrayal at the possibility that she could belong to his older brother, the same brother whose leadership he rebels against. Nick leads the Kansas City mob from the seat of his Civella family mansion and although his brothers revel in crime alongside him, it is clear that he is king here and that is reflected in the harem. The youngest brother, Anthony, has serious trauma in his past and while he’s clearly got some psychopathic tendencies, he also immediately builds an emotional connection to Juliet, likely by recognizing her internal traumas and the way she doesn’t ask for more than he can give. The four of these people navigating the waters of their forming relationships alongside their collection of traumas and personal issues is absolutely the heart of this deliciously volatile journey.
The most important relationship in this book, and the most poignant, is the one between Juliet and her grandma. Grams was modeled after Cora’s lovely Memaw and you can certainly feel how much Cora cherished that relationship when you read the scenes. Grams is a spicy number that calls things as she sees them and doesn’t seem to bat an eye at Juliet’s non-traditional relationships, as long as she’s finding her true happiness. Do not skip the author’s note at the end of the book because Cora gives a lovely glimpse into the phenomenal woman that her Memaw was that will have you laughing and crying in equal measure.
Savior, Soulmate & Stranger
I loved everything about this book. from the boys to the girl! I felt like the whole time I was engulfed & was constantly wondering “what is going to happen next?” Juliet was a fairly strong female lead, but it was Malice & his rude ways that truly stole my heart from the beginning. I loved that it also didn’t really end on a cliffhanger & ended up on a happy note, but i’m also very nervous at what happens in the next book after reading the blurb!! Book 2 comes out in october!
I loved everything about this book. from the boys to the girl! I felt like the whole time I was engulfed & was constantly wondering “what is going to happen next?” Juliet was a fairly strong female lead, but it was Malice & his rude ways that truly stole my heart from the beginning. I loved that it also didn’t really end on a cliffhanger & ended up on a happy note, but i’m also very nervous at what happens in the next book after reading the blurb!! Book 2 comes out in october!
Of the 3 men I found 1 I loved, 1 I wanted more and the last I was ready to strangle. Part of a series, but I wouldn’t say it had an actual cliffhanger and you can stop at the first. I may read the second, may not.
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
juliet & anthony, william, malice/nick
i refuse to romanticize a man who has slapped his sister (nick) but anthony and william deserve way better than what they’ve been given
i refuse to romanticize a man who has slapped his sister (nick) but anthony and william deserve way better than what they’ve been given
I honestly want to give this book way more than 5 stars, and I don't think I will be able to format the right words for how much I loved this book. I have read everything from this awesome author, and this is one of my most favorite books of 2021, probably one of my favorites of the decade. I normally don't like mafia type books, but the way Coralee June writes, it's just I don't know, but it's real, it's tangible, these are characters that I know.
The chemistry between characters is off the charts, and honestly the author could have made this into a duet or a trilogy, there were lots of questions I never got the answer to. The is the world of the world class mobster, and boy is it intense. I felt this book in my bones, I didn't sleep, but I did have to work (boooooo) but I have lost so much sleep because of this book. Told in first person pov.
The chemistry between characters is off the charts, and honestly the author could have made this into a duet or a trilogy, there were lots of questions I never got the answer to. The is the world of the world class mobster, and boy is it intense. I felt this book in my bones, I didn't sleep, but I did have to work (boooooo) but I have lost so much sleep because of this book. Told in first person pov.
I’m so conflicted by this book. I don’t know if it was good or bad but I couldn’t put it down. Between the murders, the sex, the three brothers, I don’t know what to think about it. It didn’t have a huge plot and I wish there was a bit more romance instead of pretty much just sex.
I’m very much a one guy kind of girl so I couldn’t imagine being involved with three. The dynamic between Nick and Juliet was really interesting (emotionally abusive, manipulative, and traumatic, yes, but interesting) so I wish the book went more in depth about their relationship.
Otherwise, I don’t know how to rate this book. Like I said I couldn’t put it down but I feel like me giving it a high rating would mean I may need to go to therapy to address it
I’m very much a one guy kind of girl so I couldn’t imagine being involved with three. The dynamic between Nick and Juliet was really interesting (emotionally abusive, manipulative, and traumatic, yes, but interesting) so I wish the book went more in depth about their relationship.
Otherwise, I don’t know how to rate this book. Like I said I couldn’t put it down but I feel like me giving it a high rating would mean I may need to go to therapy to address it
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes