fresholivebread 's review for:

One Dark Kiss by Rebecca Zanetti

4.25

adventurous dark funny tense 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

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A wrongfully imprisoned social media heir/mafia boss seeks revenge and draws his lawyer into his tangled web. Alexei is dangerous, controlling and cruel; Rosalie is ambitious, stubborn, with an inherently kind nature. It's a fast burn, with Alexei claiming Rosalie very quickly. There's quite a bit of power play, both in and out of the bedroom. But the (sexual) punishment and humiliation is not my jam (it's hers though). That aside, the possessive, obsessive nature of the romance worked for me. 

He's a murderous asshole, but one that would protect her and burn the world for her. And

he'd actually wanted for her for 7 years

! Rosalie is the stronger MC for me, she's very sweet but she's all spark and fire when defending Alexei and her family. There are some Snow White elements (seven old men, mirrors) but it's not really a retelling. The drama/revenge makes for some solid suspense. And I loved his nickname (Peaflower) for her! CW:

dubcon, humiliation, exhibitionism, belt play, spanking