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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.