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A review by roksyreads
Shadowed Obsession: A Dark Romantic Comedy by Evelyn Leigh

dark emotional funny
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

It's been a while since I read a mafia romance and this really hit the spot! Shadowed Obsession combines darker themes with just the right amount of humour and spice, dancing along that line between dark romance and romantic comedy just like a few of my favourite reads in the genre. 

The chemistry between Deidre and Cèsar was deliciously steamy, but the whip-sharp teasing and banter between them was the true highlight for me; they had me cracking up every time they sniped back and forth. I loved the playfulness they brought out in each other even as they each faced personal challenges in their lives. 

Deidre especially captured a little piece of my heart; it’s so rare to encounter characters with menstrual disorders like PCOS, and as someone who’s only recently had some relief from endo and PMDD after nearly two decades of suffering, it meant a lot to me to see it openly discussed on page. And the way Cèsar cared for Deidre during that time? For a stalker with questionable motives, he threw so many green flags I couldn’t help but be down bad for him from then on.  

Whilst the ending felt a little rushed—I love to bask in a HEA—the story wrapped up nicely whilst also planting seeds for at least one future story that I’m sure will be just as fun!

~

Ratings:
4⭐   ~   3🌶️   ~   3💔

Tropes:
🖤 Mafia ties
🖤 “Licenced” stalker MMC
🖤 Forced proximity 
🖤 Caretaking
🖤 He falls first
🖤 Blackmail

What I loved:
🖤 Romantic suspense
🖤 Private Investigator MMC x Master Distiller FMC
🖤 PCOS and mental health rep
🖤 Plus sized FMC
🖤 Epic text and other banter
🖤 Strong friendships
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