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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
I love myself too much to continue reading this book. #selfcare
dark
funny
tense
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:
No
Jagger Cole never disappoints. It was a solid Mafia romance book with all the delicious tropes like "my wife", "you belong to me", "touch her and die" and more. The chemistry between Ares and Neve was delicious and spicy! I loved their banter. I was hoping for a more badass FMC, since she is also from the Mafia world.
However, she makes up for it with her sharp tongue and wit.
Overall solid book with a few twists.
However, she makes up for it with her sharp tongue and wit.
Overall solid book with a few twists.
I have so long had Jagger on my TBR, and with Deviant Hearts on audio, a mafioso hero named after the god of war, AND the irish and greek mafias at odds?! Oh I knew this would be loads of fun, full of tension, and a great listen. And I really enjoyed the audio- particularly with so many of my favorite tropes in this story. Dark mafia, arranged marriage, enemies to lovers vibes (mostly rival families), clashing mafias and an OTT ultra possessive hero?! I mean YUM.
I loved the tension and build up between Ares and Neve- total romeo and juliet vibes in that they are drawn to each other but know their two families are rivals, vendettas so think there’s not hope for anything more. Until her family tells her they have a plan for more power…peace between families. By her marrying the God of War shes been admiring- Ares. The perfect union between the Greek sand the Irish mafia families.
Neve is so fun- she’s one of those bad-a mafia princesses who has a spine of steel and tons of sass. Growing up in this world hasn’t weakened her, it’s given her bravado- and she’s not scared to stand up to the scary men who dictate their world. Including Ares. Intrigued by him, and committed to her family’s power plan, she dives into the marriage. And Are is a whale bunch of delicious. He’s loyal, fierce, protective….and let’s just say, DO NOT MESS WITH THIS MAN”S ARRANGED WIFE. He’s all kinds of alpha energy- and he wants to protect his wife Neve, who enchants him. But that also means he’s super possessive and controlling at times. And with a spitfire like Neve, that means CUE all the sparks. The chemistry and tension all brews as this two lean into their attraction, and ultimately their feelings. I loved how they admired each other too- they are both strong and capable and clever, and they see a true partner in the other. Plus they have some great banter- they are actually loads of fun.
There’s a bigger mafia plot line afoot here as well- plenty of mafia intrigue going on as well (this felt less interesting to me than the main romance, but not overly immersive fortunately). This felt like a tried and true tropey mafia book overall- revolutionary? More so that familiar trope vibe and thus an entertaining and engaging listen. The audio itself was really good. I don’t know much about Ryan West, but he was great as Ares- he brought all of the alpha intensity and grit of Ares but also the loving parts of him too. And I also have not listened to Sophie Daniels before, but I loved her performance as Neve as well. She brings fire and vulnerability, and I appreciated them both together.
This is the first in the series (and like I said my first Jagger read), So I’m excited to dig into more of the backlist as well as continue on with this series as it comes out to audio!
Tropes:
-mafia romance
-enemies to lovers
-age gap (7 years)
-arranged marriage
-possessive MMC
-dual POV
-FMC is feisty
-rival families
-forced proximity
This was a great listen. Neve is a feisty FMC who doesn’t roll over for anyone. She stands her ground and is determined not to be ignored in her world. Ares is possessive and protective, but he gives Neve room to be herself first. Being from rival families, this is a true enemies to lovers. That does not mean they don’t instantly have attraction for each other.
I laughed out loud when Neve was talking to Yaya, but she didn’t know she spoke English. It was fantastic.
Callie is a fantastic sister-in-law. She instantly warms to Neve and looks out for her. I can’t wait to read her story. I am sure she is going to be a fun adventure. She is determined not to be married off to someone she doesn’t know or love.
I listened to the audiobook, and the narrators, Ryan West and Sophie Daniels did a fantastic job bringing these characters to life. I can’t wait to listen to more from this series. The book is available to read for free on KU. I hope you read it and love it, too.
Quotes:
One, Neve is a fucking force to be reckoned with. She’s bold. She’s tough. And she’s ballsy. And two, all of that is a serious turn on. I’m so fucked.
I didn’t just get a wife and sign a peace treaty. I got a partner. An equal. Someone who makes my steps easier and my heart lighter. Someone I love. Even if I haven’t figured out how to tell her that yet.
-mafia romance
-enemies to lovers
-age gap (7 years)
-arranged marriage
-possessive MMC
-dual POV
-FMC is feisty
-rival families
-forced proximity
This was a great listen. Neve is a feisty FMC who doesn’t roll over for anyone. She stands her ground and is determined not to be ignored in her world. Ares is possessive and protective, but he gives Neve room to be herself first. Being from rival families, this is a true enemies to lovers. That does not mean they don’t instantly have attraction for each other.
I laughed out loud when Neve was talking to Yaya, but she didn’t know she spoke English. It was fantastic.
Callie is a fantastic sister-in-law. She instantly warms to Neve and looks out for her. I can’t wait to read her story. I am sure she is going to be a fun adventure. She is determined not to be married off to someone she doesn’t know or love.
I listened to the audiobook, and the narrators, Ryan West and Sophie Daniels did a fantastic job bringing these characters to life. I can’t wait to listen to more from this series. The book is available to read for free on KU. I hope you read it and love it, too.
Quotes:
One, Neve is a fucking force to be reckoned with. She’s bold. She’s tough. And she’s ballsy. And two, all of that is a serious turn on. I’m so fucked.
I didn’t just get a wife and sign a peace treaty. I got a partner. An equal. Someone who makes my steps easier and my heart lighter. Someone I love. Even if I haven’t figured out how to tell her that yet.
adventurous
dark
tense
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A typical mafia princess marries the enemy to align families. This one just had a side story about the princess's trauma from years earlier that comes back to play a large part in the story. Enemies to lovers as Neve is stubborn and defiant until she has sex with her hot new husband Ares who of course has a thick fat cock (which is constantly repeated) and then she instantly has to have him more and more. Ares is somewhat likable as he quickly gets attached to Neve. Outside entities threaten her and the knight in shining armor rescue begins.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
medium-paced