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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
This story follows the aftermath of book 1 but through the eyes of Grayson and Maddie who hate each other but have feelings for each other. This book could be read as a standlone but it’s recommended to read in order. I loved this book a lot more than book 1 and finished it in a day. It was well written and I just loved the angst and bantering. The storyline was perfect for this couple and the pacing was perfect. This book is told from both Grayson and Maddie’s pov.
Grayson hasn’t been in a relationship since his ex-wife, but Maddie is changing his views. I loved his character and seeing him start to care for new friends and family after his past hurt him. Then we have Maddie whose tired of disappointing her family and is having a hard time finding the one. I loved seeing her finding what she wants and getting that. Both characters developed so well throughout this book. There are many side characters in this book where we also remeat book 1 characters. The romance is forbidden love, age gap, and friends with benefits. This book is steamy and the relationship is amazing.
The ending was well done and I am excited for book 3. I know that book is going to be amazing as it will follow the boss. This book was great and I am excited to see what Luna comes up with next.
*this book was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*
OMG! That was amazing! The men!!!! Grayson has had my heart!
His chemistry with Maddie was top notch!
Grayson background story was deliciously great! Perfect emotional unavailable man! And Maddie with her sass and everything!
Highly recommend this book and the whole series!
What to expect:
-Age Gap
-Mafia
-Sports Romance
-Ex Military
-Enemies to Lovers
His chemistry with Maddie was top notch!
Grayson background story was deliciously great! Perfect emotional unavailable man! And Maddie with her sass and everything!
Highly recommend this book and the whole series!
What to expect:
-Age Gap
-Mafia
-Sports Romance
-Ex Military
-Enemies to Lovers
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Grayson and Maddie? *Fireworks.* After falling for Keller and Sienna in *Distance*, I was already curious about this chaotic duo. Luna absolutely nailed their banter-equal parts hilarious and hot. Maddie is sunshine with teeth: bubbly, bold, and the kind of FMC who doesn't whimper- she *roars*. And Grayson? Oh, he's a walking emotional grenade. Forget the cold, broody alpha trope-this man *feels*, and he *shows it*. What I loved most? His heart is on his sleeve, his devotion is feral, and when it comes to Maddie, he'd raze the damn world. Their chemistry is nuclear, their love explosive, and when they finally stop pretending they don't want to jump each other? *Chef's kiss*. Bonus points for Grayson bringing ex-military energy to the mafia like it's a career pivot on LinkedIn.
Also, if you're into stories where the man *actually* expresses his emotions, worships his woman, and would cross hell barefoot for her-go read this. Yesterday.
★★★★
Thank you to #lunamason, @hambright_pr and @netgalley for this advanced reader copy. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Also, if you're into stories where the man *actually* expresses his emotions, worships his woman, and would cross hell barefoot for her-go read this. Yesterday.
★★★★
Thank you to #lunamason, @hambright_pr and @netgalley for this advanced reader copy. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Loved it
Absolutely loved this book. Can't wait for the next one to be released (clicked pre order as soon as I finished this one!) Was hooked from the beginning and read it in a day.
Absolutely loved this book. Can't wait for the next one to be released (clicked pre order as soon as I finished this one!) Was hooked from the beginning and read it in a day.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
🖤 Mafia hitman
💜 Enemies to lovers
🖤 🥃🐱
💜 Grumpy sunshine
🖤 Mafia romance
💜 Touch her and ☠️
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Despite a lot of things that just didn’t sit right with me, I found myself intrigued with this story. I love a good dark mafia romance, and there was so much potential with this one. However, with the inconsistencies in the story, underdeveloped characters/plot line, and grammatical issues, this is not a top read for me. I will address those later, but all that being said, I still kind of liked the story. I’m so conflicted!
I was offered by HambrightPR to read and review this title. I really appreciate that opportunity and don’t take it lightly. I don’t typically write negative reviews, always trying to find the positive because I actually do want people to read this book and form their own opinion. So even though I will address what I found to be the cause of my lower review, I will highlight what I did like about the book.
Grayson is a flawed man, part time trainer for up and coming boxers, and part time hit man for the mafia in New York. After a devastating blow years ago that left him heartbroken and lost, he up and moved to NY, to a new life, vowing to never allow anyone in his heart again. Maddie is the best friend of his best friend’s wife. They can’t stand each other, but since the fateful day where they kissed, his first in seven years, he has not stopped thinking of her. The pull they feel towards one another can’t be denied, and they finally come together in the most explosive way. Grayson has a filthy mouth and knows how to use it. He wants, needs, to keep her safe, for she is his everything. Maddie has never felt for anyone what she feels for Grayson, but neither one of them are sure about a future together. There is a lot of uncertainty, a mafia war, dangerous situations, and an unexpected surprise.
I liked the banter between the characters, the draw they had to one another, and of course the spice. Grayson is a dirty talker through and through, but Maddie can give it back too. There is tension and suspense throughout the story that worked. The ‘twist’ was interesting as well.
All that being said, there were inconsistencies that I had a hard time getting past:
He kissed her in the bathroom at the restaurant, then went down on her, but afterwards when she went to kiss him, he turned his head. He then brought her to the warehouse he burned down, f**ked her on the hood. No mention of a condom, so I’m assuming he came in her but when they went back to his house and he went down on her again, he only mentioned “her juices,” nothing about his c*m. This book is definitely hot, but I’m finding the inconsistencies, and the back and forth of his reasoning hard to buy into.
Later, she lies to him so she can “break up” with Gregory so she says she started her period. Then later Grayson shows up and foils her plans, takes her home and f**ks her. Not one mention of her being on/not being on her period.
The ex wife just shows up after all these years in his penthouse, while he’s f**king Maddie? C’mon.
You can’t decorate a cake just out of the oven. Chapter thirty five is in there twice as thirty five and thirty six on KU…I’ve never seen that happen. I did message her (kindly! I’m not an asshole), to let her know.
There are moments, situations, where Grayson just seems so careless with Maddie. He’s a hit man and says he loves her, she is everything to him and doesn’t want anything to happen to her, yet he has either put her or let her get into situations that are dangerous for her.
Sunshine is used 135 times. I love a cute nickname, but I thought it was used too much.
You could tell from some of the wording used that the author is not American (zero issue with that but when it’s set in America and more British terminology is used, you knew.) I didn’t let that affect my review, just more of an observation!
I felt there were missed opportunities within the plotline, as well as things that popped up that didn’t really fit.
Overall, will I read this again? No. Will I continue the series? Maybe. Do I recommend this book? Yes. Because I know there are a lot of people out there that will really like the story and need to form their own opinion.
☠️“Smothering me in her rays while I thrive in the darkness. I don’t crave the light. But I can’t get her out of my mind.”
☠️“Eyes on me. Watch me devour you as you come all over my face.”
☠️“She knows I’m a monster and wants to f*** me anyway.”
☠️“Let’s get one thing straight here, Sunshine. If you want me to keep f***ing you until you see stars, no other man touches you. I’ll keep it simple. I. Don’t. Share.”
☠️“A man of darkness is the only one to bring me light.”
dark
medium-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
This book dives deeper into Maddie and Grayson’s story, and I couldn’t get enough! With dual narration from both Maddie and Grayson—one of my favorite storytelling styles—we get a richer glimpse into Grayson’s past, adding layers to his character that made me love him even more. The chemistry between these two crackles on every page, and their witty banter kept me smiling the whole way through. Fast-paced and addictive, I devoured this in one sitting. And let’s talk about the spice—absolutely chef’s kiss! If you’re into steamy romance with heart and humor, this one’s a must-read.
Thank you Hambright PR and Luna Mason for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Grayson is a tortured soul controlled by the demons of his past. He was betrayed by his wife and bestfriend and has never gotten over it. He’s a boxing trainer by day, mafia enforcer by night.
Here comes Maddie, a ray of sunshine in Grayson’s life. Maddie shifts Grayson’s whole world after one spontaneous kiss. She isn't scared of the monster that Grayson can be. She is smart, sassy and full of life everything he needs.
I just adored their hate to love, frenemies to lovers thing they had going on. The banter was on point and the spice was oh so nice. This book had the perfect amount of mafia murder and mayhem, suspense, tension and sass. Grayson fell so hard for Maddie and was so possessive. Maddie was fierce and never backed down.
I am so excited to dive right into Devoted, book 3 Luca Russo here I come!
As always check your trigger warnings this is a mafia romance with dark topics.
If you like
☀️ Grumpy x Sunshine
👩🏼❤️💋👨🏼 Good Girl x Bad Boy
🩶 Morally gray characters
🖤 Dark romance
🥊 Sports romance
🔪 Mafia romance
🛡️ Military romance
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Maddie and Grayson ❤️🔥 I love this interconnected series. Distance still being my favorite though.
You go on a whirlwind of lust, spice and bloody encounters. If murder is not your thing, this book isn’t for you.
If you adore mafia romances, especially with touch her and die vibes – don’t miss out on this! Excited to get into the next story 💜
I went into this book so excited thinking I’m gna find my new fav read but it did not go the way I expected 😭
The writing was so poor I found it hard to read without cringing badly. Not only was the inner monologue insufferable but the dialogue felt robotic and fake. There was no emotion??
it’s marketed as a standalone but actually relies heavily on the first book, which I didn’t read, to build the foundation of the story.
I couldn’t connect with the characters and their motivations at all.
I’m so upset because I truly did want to enjoy this ☹️💔
ೃ⁀➷ Thank you NetGalley and Hambright PR for the ARC! ♥︎
The writing was so poor I found it hard to read without cringing badly. Not only was the inner monologue insufferable but the dialogue felt robotic and fake. There was no emotion??
it’s marketed as a standalone but actually relies heavily on the first book, which I didn’t read, to build the foundation of the story.
I couldn’t connect with the characters and their motivations at all.
I’m so upset because I truly did want to enjoy this ☹️💔
ೃ⁀➷ Thank you NetGalley and Hambright PR for the ARC! ♥︎
Boring. Lots of just ok sex. Plot had a lot of potential, but the story fell short unfortunately.