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mells_view's reviews
1750 reviews
Empire of Sin by Rina Kent
I can’t explain it. I enjoy these books overall, but something I can’t put my finger on is missing for me. That said, I’m entertained and I’ll probably keep picking up this author’s books. This one is good. Some heavy topics and themes weaved in, but mostly it’s a hidden identity mixed with an angry, “it’s just fooling around not love” type plot. I ate it up like candy, so.
If you enjoy mafia adjacent romance with a dom/sub vibe to the relationship, then this book will suit you.
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
3.5
He ruined me. Corrupted me. And I keep wanting more.
I can’t explain it. I enjoy these books overall, but something I can’t put my finger on is missing for me. That said, I’m entertained and I’ll probably keep picking up this author’s books. This one is good. Some heavy topics and themes weaved in, but mostly it’s a hidden identity mixed with an angry, “it’s just fooling around not love” type plot. I ate it up like candy, so.
If you enjoy mafia adjacent romance with a dom/sub vibe to the relationship, then this book will suit you.
Five by Sara Cate, Rachel Leigh
The Four gang is back and they are diving into the past. What’s that saying about your past coming back to haunt you? Well, in Five the past comes back to change things up. I don’t want to spoil the story, so I’ll just say it’s the same m wording and heat from the first book, but take it all to the next level. I sort of love these books because they are hot and taboo, of course, but the dark humor, action, and the sweet moments make these books full circle good reads. Anyway. If you enjoy taboo poly/RH with that criminal/mafia vibe to it, then I recommend this book and Four highly!
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
How can I be expected to make all of them happy, all the time?
The Four gang is back and they are diving into the past. What’s that saying about your past coming back to haunt you? Well, in Five the past comes back to change things up. I don’t want to spoil the story, so I’ll just say it’s the same m wording and heat from the first book, but take it all to the next level. I sort of love these books because they are hot and taboo, of course, but the dark humor, action, and the sweet moments make these books full circle good reads. Anyway. If you enjoy taboo poly/RH with that criminal/mafia vibe to it, then I recommend this book and Four highly!
Throne of Vengeance by Rina Kent
I enjoyed this one more than the first. I think if you’re looking for a mafia romance read with heat, that reluctant marriage angst, and a splash of action then you’ll enjoy this duet.
I think I’ll pick up some of the books that spin off from this one. It would be cool to see a chart/tree of how all the authors books connect because it seems like many of them overlap with characters.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
But not everything visible is beautiful. After all, the devil looks his best when luring in his victims.
I enjoyed this one more than the first. I think if you’re looking for a mafia romance read with heat, that reluctant marriage angst, and a splash of action then you’ll enjoy this duet.
I think I’ll pick up some of the books that spin off from this one. It would be cool to see a chart/tree of how all the authors books connect because it seems like many of them overlap with characters.
Throne of Power by Rina Kent
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.0
The truth isn’t what you see. It’s what you make of it.
I’m going to be honest and say I just don’t know how I feel about this one. Like I enjoyed it, but it also didn’t feel like anything new. So I’m giving it a 3 because I liked it, but I didn’t love it. But I’m going to read the second part, so take that as you will. Mafia. Betrayal. Arranged marriage.
I’m going to be honest and say I just don’t know how I feel about this one. Like I enjoyed it, but it also didn’t feel like anything new. So I’m giving it a 3 because I liked it, but I didn’t love it. But I’m going to read the second part, so take that as you will. Mafia. Betrayal. Arranged marriage.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Violence
Minor: Misogyny, Terminal illness, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Descent by Sam Mariano
Ok, so I liked this one, but I didn’t love it. I can’t explain it in detail, but the sort of anticipation and anxiety I had when reading Untouchable or The Morelli’s, by the same author, just wasn’t there for me. I love how this author just writes whatever she wants, and really doesn’t care what anyone thinks about it. The story between Calvin and Hallie is tense and at times hard to swallow and that’s exactly what this author wants. She wants you to know this is an uncomfortable dynamic and make you enjoy it anyway. I think she does a great job with this.
All that said, I’d love a book about some of the other characters in this story if it was a dark and twisted MFM. There’s some serious potential for an amazing story weaved into the subplots of this one. Can’t wait to see if any of that actually happens!!
TW: non-con, dubious consent, con-non-con, captivity, kidnapping. I can’t think of anymore but it’s Sam Mariano, there’s going to be triggers galore so if you’re worried please message me and say your trigger and it may jog my memory for any I missed.
dark
tense
medium-paced
3.5
“Let go of convention, Hallie. Give yourself to me.”
Ok, so I liked this one, but I didn’t love it. I can’t explain it in detail, but the sort of anticipation and anxiety I had when reading Untouchable or The Morelli’s, by the same author, just wasn’t there for me. I love how this author just writes whatever she wants, and really doesn’t care what anyone thinks about it. The story between Calvin and Hallie is tense and at times hard to swallow and that’s exactly what this author wants. She wants you to know this is an uncomfortable dynamic and make you enjoy it anyway. I think she does a great job with this.
All that said, I’d love a book about some of the other characters in this story if it was a dark and twisted MFM. There’s some serious potential for an amazing story weaved into the subplots of this one. Can’t wait to see if any of that actually happens!!
TW: non-con, dubious consent, con-non-con, captivity, kidnapping. I can’t think of anymore but it’s Sam Mariano, there’s going to be triggers galore so if you’re worried please message me and say your trigger and it may jog my memory for any I missed.
Pieces of Me by Jay McLean
First, anyone not reading this duet is MISSING OUT on one hell of a story. Second, Pieces of Me is FREAKING AMAZING. I spent 70% of this book crying tears of sadness, anger, and happiness. Then I spent a healthy 10% wanting to punch people and the other 20% I was smiling my face off. But 100% of the time I was obsessed and thinking how perfect this story is for these two characters. Even the hard parts had their place and their purpose and Jay weaved it all together so so well.
JamieHolden go through so so much. A rollercoaster of emotions as per usual. Bumpy and unpredictable, but always worth the ride in the end. These characters and their growth. Their pain. Their heartache. Their love. Their care for one another. Holden’s heart. Jamie’s strength. I can’t. I loved this book so so hard. Plus all the side characters. Jay does found family and different family dynamics with such care.
I honestly never wanted it to end. Ever. I could live in the worlds that Jay creates. Every angsty part of them.
Anyway. Get hip and start this series now. This book comes out January 25th, but Pieces of You is available now, so READ IT!
AVAILABLE JANUARY 25th!
*ARC
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
This is the fault in our fate, our one undoing: All he’s ever wanted is my happiness, even when it costs him his own.
First, anyone not reading this duet is MISSING OUT on one hell of a story. Second, Pieces of Me is FREAKING AMAZING. I spent 70% of this book crying tears of sadness, anger, and happiness. Then I spent a healthy 10% wanting to punch people and the other 20% I was smiling my face off. But 100% of the time I was obsessed and thinking how perfect this story is for these two characters. Even the hard parts had their place and their purpose and Jay weaved it all together so so well.
JamieHolden go through so so much. A rollercoaster of emotions as per usual. Bumpy and unpredictable, but always worth the ride in the end. These characters and their growth. Their pain. Their heartache. Their love. Their care for one another. Holden’s heart. Jamie’s strength. I can’t. I loved this book so so hard. Plus all the side characters. Jay does found family and different family dynamics with such care.
I honestly never wanted it to end. Ever. I could live in the worlds that Jay creates. Every angsty part of them.
Anyway. Get hip and start this series now. This book comes out January 25th, but Pieces of You is available now, so READ IT!
AVAILABLE JANUARY 25th!
*ARC
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts
Our Way by TL Swan
Did not finish book. Stopped at 65%.
It was giving too many biphobic vibes for me. I was hoping it was to show growth/realistic ignorance, but it just never ended and came from so many characters, even the mains so. Also I read some spoiler reviews and the ending did not warrant me finishing a book I wasn’t loving full stop with so many things that were making me uncomfortable.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 65%.
Beautiful Russian Monster by Odette Stone
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
<b>I was so drawn to her. Would my darkness swallow all her light?</b>
It’s been about two years since I’ve gotten lost in an Odette Stone read, and I’m happy to say that her stories are still incredibly well written and so easy to immerse yourself in. Beautiful Russian Monster definitely leans into the suspense aspect of the story heavily and straight from the start, while the romance aspect slowly builds and builds along the way with tension and a bit of sweetness.
Viktor and Blaire are essentially forced on this dangerous journey together in order to save his friends and her grandfather. Viktor has a past and experience in doing these dangerous and often criminal things, but Blaire is in a whole new world. Reading these two falling in love slowly while on this rollercoaster ride was so sweet. Odette truly takes the time to convince you of why these two match up. While the title does give extreme dark/mafia vibes the book is more suspense journey with a slow burn romance plot. There’s some criminal activity, but it’s less mafia more corrupt happenings. Anyway, I don’t want to get TOO into it, because this is a story you need to experience on your own.
Also that ending. Excuse me Ms. Stone… I need answers quickly!
**Note - this is easy to understand standalone, but I highly advise that you read Dark Russian Angel prior to this. You don’t need it to understand the plot, but it will introduce you to some of the characters in this story and why they are where they are in their lives. Not required, but in my opinion, read it first.
It’s been about two years since I’ve gotten lost in an Odette Stone read, and I’m happy to say that her stories are still incredibly well written and so easy to immerse yourself in. Beautiful Russian Monster definitely leans into the suspense aspect of the story heavily and straight from the start, while the romance aspect slowly builds and builds along the way with tension and a bit of sweetness.
Viktor and Blaire are essentially forced on this dangerous journey together in order to save his friends and her grandfather. Viktor has a past and experience in doing these dangerous and often criminal things, but Blaire is in a whole new world. Reading these two falling in love slowly while on this rollercoaster ride was so sweet. Odette truly takes the time to convince you of why these two match up. While the title does give extreme dark/mafia vibes the book is more suspense journey with a slow burn romance plot. There’s some criminal activity, but it’s less mafia more corrupt happenings. Anyway, I don’t want to get TOO into it, because this is a story you need to experience on your own.
Also that ending. Excuse me Ms. Stone… I need answers quickly!
**Note - this is easy to understand standalone, but I highly advise that you read Dark Russian Angel prior to this. You don’t need it to understand the plot, but it will introduce you to some of the characters in this story and why they are where they are in their lives. Not required, but in my opinion, read it first.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, and Kidnapping