Empire of Lust

Torrio Empire #1

by J.L. Beck

I made a mistake.

At sixteen years old I fell for the wrong man.

Callum Torrio.

Ruthless billionaire. Dangerous villain. My best friend's father.

At twenty one I gave up hope that he would ever notice me.

He’s twenty years older than me, and an arms dealer for the mob.

The smart choice would be to forget he ever existed.

But that’s not possible.

His icy blue gaze, sculpted physique, and huge rough hands play a vivid part in my dreams.

Then one night everything changes

Every fantasy I ever had he brings to life.

Dominant and possessive he praises and worships me.

He makes me feel like a woman when all my life I’ve felt sheltered and controlled.

But Callum has dark secrets, and a past that refuses to let go.

I knew he was a bad man but I never would have anticipated this…

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance, Dark, Mafia Romance, Contemporary, Audiobook, Spicy

322 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 7, 2023

About the author

J.L. Beck is the USA Today Best Selling author of unapologetic romance. She lives in WI with her husband, two kids, and four dogs. She enjoys writing and recently starting a literary agency to help represent authors in the industry.

To learn more about her books or interact with her go here: https://linktr.ee/jlbeckbooks

J.L. Beck xoxoxo

Reviews

[Carla]

DNF 24%.
🤦🏻‍♀️

[Jan]

DNF 30%

🥴😖🥴😖
This is so immature.

[isy · Rating 2 out of 5]

wow.
so umm..
this was so bad 🤣

CONSTANT back and forth about everything fucking thing. “i can’t do this, he’s my best friends father” “i can’t do this, she’s my daughters best friend” “ahhh, fuck it let me fuck you” x1000000000000

and the plot 😭😭 oh my god. just thinking about it makes me laugh.
this ex-boyfriend of hers who is just a regular douche who cheat on her (like half the men on the planet) ends up kidnapping and trying to kill her 😃

just absolutely horrendous and ridiculous but you know what? im going to end up reading the second one because well… i don’t really know but 🤣 for some reason im sure i will in the future

[⊹ ࣪ ˖ tanya · Rating 1 out of 5]

very very repetitive and annoying but also i like reading trash books so i cant say i hated it, but the whole lucas thing doesn’t make sense bc he literally cheated on her and then suddenly he was so obsessed w her it drove him to insanity? the math ain’t mathin 🤨🤨 also saw the end ‘plot twist’ coming from MILES away

[Court Small · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super Hot Age Gap 🔥

This series is going to be Epic.
Any fans of the age gap trope this one is definitely for you and the spice level is set to filthy. Don’t let the cliffhanger put you off, this book is worth it.

[BL ☘︎︎ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Normally I’m a got to see a series all the way through kinda gal but I definitely won’t be going back to this. Callum is toxic as fuck in the worst kind of way. Immediately lost me at switching her birth control out with sugar pills and giving her fertility shots in her sleep. Killed the whole thing for me.

[Sentranced Jem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tropes: Best Friends Dad / Mafia Romance / Billionaire Romance / Age Gap

Have I heard of J.L. Beck’s books before? Yes.
Have I ever read them? No. Never. Until today.
And let me tell you something, I want to read more.
Empire of Lust is 🔥 spicy, filthy, forbidden…ekkk it’s everything I wanted from an age-gap romance.
This book is steamy AF.
NOTE: It pushes the boundaries but hey! Beck warned us before we even started so I can’t complain.

[Kylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good mafia romance

4.5/5 ⭐️
3/5 🌶️

OMG this had so many of my favorite tropes!

The one that stands out the most is probably the “touch her and you 💀” trope.

The next would be age gap and best friend’s dad. ;)

This was so spicy and I enjoyed it so much.

ALSO OMG THAT CLIFFHANGER!? I need book 2 ASAP!

[GKP2460 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Empire Of Lust is exactly as it sounds. All the dark, all the dirty, all the forbidden, wrapped up in this downright delicious, filthy book. It does end in a cliffhanger but Bianca and Callum deliver a story that's impossible to put down and well worth waiting for. Well done Ms. Beck

[Missy]

Skimmed through. Very spicy! The dirty talk was a little repetitive at times. If you like birth control tampering and fertility drug (syringe), then this may be the book for you. This book ends on a cliff hanger.

Triggers (copied and pasted from ebook): Spanking, violence, manipulation of birth control, explicit sex, death, cheating (not between MC’s), age gap, grooming, rape, dub-con situations, physical abuse, and emotional abuse.

[tane'a · Rating 4 out of 5]

this how you know i’ll read anything and eat it up because HUH???💀💀i love pure foolishness

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Troupes
✅Age Gap
✅Mafia Billionaire MC
✅Breeding Kink
✅Possessive and Controlling Mc
✅Best Friend dad

The over book 3⭐️ the 🌶️ 4/5.

Some background on the main character Bianca she is only child of her widowed Father. He is a dective in the local police department. Her mother was killed by a drive by shooting. Her father was under the suspicion it was murder but kept that to himself. After her death he kept Bianca under a tight ship basically never her letting her having any freedom. And she has always resented him for being so overprotective.

We meet her after she just graduated college with her best friend Tatum. She is living with her boyfriend of five years at the time. Tatum is the daughter of billionaire/ gangster or maifia world. It’s really never defined what he does. Just that he bad and kills and has shady dealings. Bianca has always had a crush on her best friends dad who is twice her age but feels like he sees her as just a little girl. Until the night it all changes. Bianca sees Callum in middle of a sexual encounter and watches and pleases her self to act thinking he can’t see her. Little does she know he can. And their entire relationship changes from there.

Bianca finds her boyfriend cheating on her at a club and dumps him. Suddenly she finds herself homeless because she can’t afford that apartment on her own. Tatum naturally offers her house while she off for summer on her vacation. That’s when her Callum collide. She learns how controlling he is. And despite how much she hated that with her father she jumps head long into a relationship with him. He does crazy things like install a tracker in her phone. Swap her birth control for sugar pills and inject her with fertility shots. Because he has to claim her in all ways including knocking her up.

Her boyfriend goes from cheating to stalker. At the hands of Callum’s not so ex wife. Who refuses to sign the papers. That whole story line was just odd. Then it was even worse the way Bianca is acting the whole time one minute she wants Callum the next she doesn’t because he is a killer and controlling. Like you know who he was to start with pick a side. Then she flipped over finding out his ex wife was still the wife. I couldn’t stand the way her character was written at all. The only good part of the whole book was the cliffhanger it ended on. Which to be honest I knew it was going that way. The main MC is guy you love to hate. But I can’t stand Bianca if it wasn’t for her it would be great. And the audio book totally missed the mark on the readers. Cringe worthy!

[Noa · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It doesn't matter whether this is right or wrong. All that matters is what we want."

Bianca has had a crush on her best friend's dad forever, but she always knew it was wrong. He does not feel the same way and she would have to keep living in her fantasy. Until she sees him next to the pool one night and everything changes. Will she finally have her fantasy? Or will it turn uot to be a nightmare?

Callum Torrio is the mafia boss. Hundreds of employees answering to him and only him. Living in the mansion with his daughter he trusts only himself. So what does he do when the girl he has been obsessed with finds him in a compromising position? One that they both enjoyed? Because now that he finally has her, he will be damned if he will let her go.

"I might be strong, but I'll be damned if I let another man take her when she was born to be mine."

Callum Torrio is that possessive Mafia Daddy ok? He is the boss and he lets everyone know it. Bianca is a shy girl that has had a crush on her BFF's dad for a long time and she thought "ok nvm nothing is gonna happen but let me take a sneak peak" well that sneak peek let to a whole lotta stuff ok?
Possessive does not even begin to cover Callum (hint: tracker on her phone and answering her ex-boyfriend when they are in the middle of... you get the picture).

"I'm crazy for you, little bird. Absolutely mental."

Tropes:
- Mafia Romance
- Best Friend's Dad
- Forbidden Romance
- Age Gap
- Billionaire Romance
- Extremely Possessive MMC
- Breeding Kink

[Daniella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about Spice! I love J.L Becks books but this one is all the chaotic feels in one!
We got Your definitely mine vibes and touch her your gone!
Its a dark romance with ill be your sunshine vibes.

[(old.enough.for.fairytales) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Empire of Lust was def a quick read! This is def the perfect book for fans of dark forbidden romance. I recommend checking the trigger warnings before diving in, but I think this is one most mafia dark romance readers would enjoy. Full of “she’s mine” and “touch her and you ☠️”, the villain gets the girl in this age gap forbidden romance series!

Things I loved: the cliffhanger 👀 because the whole series is (nearly) out, it wasn’t too incredibly painful. But gosh it was surprising!

Thanks to the author for gifting me a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5 ⭐️
4/5🌶️

I was really looking forward to this book, but it fell short for me. We meet Bianca when she’s graduating from college with her best friend. We find out that she’s had a crush on her best friends dad for years and has never acted on it.

Then one night she catches him in a compromising position and everything changes. The age gap is pretty hot and I enjoyed the smüt in this book. I also liked that she stood up for herself when she needed to and made her point even when he fought her. I typically love an alpha possessive guy. I also am used to a lot of the things that happened in this book, but there’s just a few things I didn’t love. He lied to her a lot and he was basically mega controlling. He just seemed super manipulative and toxic. I also felt like their connection wasn’t there. Like why did he want to be with her? What made him want her? They never talked about their pasts or anything to build a bond. Overall, I think the story could have been great. It just lacked some depth and character development. The cliffhanger was wild though so beware 🫣

[Dominique F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh shttttttttttttt. That ending though!!!!! Ok firstly. Greatttttttt storyline. One of my favs by JL and that’s saying a lot. . . the 2nd book comes out tomorrrrooowwwww and i am drooooooooooling all over myself....

Callums inner monologue had me dying laughing often.


I love Tatum I can’t wait to see if her and romero get together

I’m invested. Very. I need more asap

[20 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm too lazy and I don't remember what I thought about this book to write a review, so I start rating it is. Two stars, give or take. I remember having mixed feelings.

[Izzah ꒰Duchess of Cabria ಇ ⭑✧ ᴏɴ ᴘᴀᴛʀᴇᴏɴ ✧ ⋆꒱ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book went over the steamy line and right into erotica territory

GR tags this as romance, but by my own personal standards, I think this book is closer to erotica romance.

⇒ There's enough plot for it to still be a romance, but there's too much sex and thinking about sex for this not to be erotica*
*This a subjective, personal qualification

This is not a criticism, but in fact raises the rating. That's because I hold erotica to a lower standard than just romance.
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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[Allia Reads (semi hiatus) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this last year, and I didn’t have Goodreads at that time, but I definitely remember that I didn’t like this book because there was an OW scene at the beginning where the MMC eats her out and the FMC is just a peeping Tom and gets turned on.🤡

The whole book was boring, and this story definitely did not need to be dragged out into a trilogy.

[v.e.e.r.e.a.d.s · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another delicious mafia book from JL Beck!

🖤Age - gap
🖤Mafia romance
🖤Forbidden romance
🖤Best friends dad

Honestly need I say more??

The spice is hot!!! Callum is so possessive whilst also trying to push Bianca away….and I’m here for it! So much drama and that cliffhanger???? I need book two like yesterday!

[Serialbookstarter:Marla · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book Gives off the immature teenager vibe.
There was too much push and pull. I want her, I can’t have her repeat a thousand times. They have sex he tells her to get the Eff Out-rinse and repeat. I would sum
This up as a very immature age gap— ikr. It’s the opposite of all the high school ya books where the 17 year olds are acting like 40
Year olds.

[Kk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sooooo this was my first "Best friend's dad romance" book and let me tell you it did not disappoint.

I didn't even realize this was the first type of book like this I've read until I was reading a very very smutty pool scene ;). I remember looking away from the book full on blushing and laughing, saying something along the lines of "OMG this is so naughty" and then it hit me. THIS IS A FIRST!!!!

Now if you're concerned about age gaps Bianca is 21 and I'm pretty sure Callum is in his early 40's if I remember correctly.

Summary with some spoilers:
After a night out with her best friend, celebrating college graduation they head back to Tatum's (her best friend. After Tatum passes out, Bianca heads downstairs to get something to eat. Once she reaches the kitchen she looks out the glass door to see Tatum's dad (who she's always had a crush on) going to town with a woman by the pool. The whole time she's watching, she doesn't think Callum sees her but little does she know he felt her presence and looks through the door to see her. And you know what he does..... Smirks!!!!! Lord have mercy that part by itself had me fanning myself. Let's just say the rest of the time he's imagining the woman as Bianca and Bianca is imagines herself in the woman's place.

After that night Callum is done playing games....He wants Bianca and he makes sure she knows how he feels. However, there is some back and forth between the two especially because of the fact Callum runs the Mafia.....Oh wait did I forget to mention that.... yup he's a hot, filthy-mouthed....crime boss!!!!! Bianca struggles with this throughout the book but I actually liked it. I feel like in most mafia books the fmc struggles for a chapter with the fact that their love interest unalives people for a living and then it's never mentioned again.

Also this man is down bad for Bianca and I mean down so bad ;). Callum has some past issues with being stuck to a money hungry ex so he doesnt ummmmm how do i say this....... arrive...... unless its during oral. But with Bianca?!?! He wants her pregnant like yesterday!!!! He wants her tied to him forever, so needless to say he breaks his no arriving-rule anddddddd......switches her birth control out with sugar pills and injects her with a fetility drug while shes sleeping......

I know I know you're gonna say something along the lines of "OMG KK isn't that wrong?" but listen this is dark romance, we leave our morals at the door. And if the pregnancy trope is a deal breaker for you she doesn't end up pregnant at the end of this book.... at least that we know of ;)

Overall, this book has drama, spice, and a very overprotective, controlling, hooottt mafia man who would burn the world for his girl....what more could you want!!!!!

[Thais • tata.lifepages • · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review 4.5 stars! 🖤

This series is perfect for dark romance fans looking for an age-gap with stalker vibes and lots of “you’re mine” and “no one touches her but me” 💀
It’s my first time reading a 20+ year age gap (her best friends’s dad) and it was so thrilling! Combine that with the taboo and forbidden side of it I was a complete mess while reading 🫠

Callum is dark, extremely dangerous and the pure definition of villain. He’s also super controlling and manipulative. He has had a growing obsession for his daughters best friend that reaches its peak when he catches her secretly watching him as he 👅💦 .
Now, he wants her and nothing will get on his way of claiming her. Even if it’s forbidden.

An unputdownable guilty pleasure read 🥵 18+ read at own risk 😈

Thanks to the author for gifting me a copy for review

[Olivia Kurtzman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ummm I haven’t read Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas yet but I’m guessing same vibes. Ending was a bit predictable not gonna lie, and Bianca seems like she can’t make her mind to save her life (literally), but as always live the smut.

[Mandy Reads Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have waited for this book with absolute bated breath from the moment I first saw this author sharing it on social media. I knew from the very first post I needed this book. And holy heck did I ever. It absolutely stole my heart and everything along with it.

For the past 5 years Callum Torrino is all Bianca has thought about. Fantasized about. What she would do to make him hers. But he is her best friend’s dad and that kind of makes him off limits. Until one night… And oh what a night.

The romance was a blazing inferno of lust and everything forbidden. And it doesn’t even matter that Callum is a very bad man with a horrible past and present; Bianca can’t stop the feelings she has for him even if she wanted to. They are both too far gone.

This book was absolutely, 100% worth the wait to get my hands on. It lived up to every one of my expectations and then some. I cannot wait until the next one comes out. If I was a smart woman I would have waited for the series to be completed before I started this achingly, delicious journey. But I couldn’t help myself. Now I want to seriously immerse myself in it and have it’s little Torrino babies. 5 Stars.

[Emma Decker · Rating 1 out of 5]

Leute hab das Buch gelesen weil es Tetes fav ist… judged nicht. Nur Sex und lowkey ist der nichtmal gut geschrieben..

[mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Thank you Candi Kane PR and the author J.L. Beck for the eARC in exchange for an honest review)

I’ve been finding for big age gap books recently and I blame Fitz aka Tony Goldwyn for this. He has me in a chokehold in Scandal.

This book had a 20-year age gap, I was hoping to not be traumatised and I wasn’t. Callum is every bit dominant, delicious and daddy as he was described to be.

Also everyone should summon their inner Bianca. She went for her best friend’s dad, who said any person of their best friend’s life is off limits? (Okay maybe not dad but you get me).

I liked that it had a pace that was fast enough to read without putting the book down. It was exciting to read with the mafia aspect especially with Callum being all alpha.

An extra star for praise and breeding kink in one!

[Audrey Moore · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted so badly to DNF this book but it was like a car crash I couldn’t look away from. It was almost like I had to keep reading to see what depraved thing Callum did next or what caused Bianca to whine some more. I mean running from your overbearing boyfriend once, maybe twice, I could see as an adjustment period after learning he kills people for a living. But four times…come on. And that was all without even learning he swapped her birth control for sugar pills and gave her a fertility shot after making her cum so hard she passed out. Yeah, you heard that right…this crazy mfer placebo’d her BC then told her she could go nowhere and speak to no one without his permission. And this crazy, no self worth having heifer went back EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. If this is the standard for dark romance, I think I’ll stick with my cinnamon roll hockey/baseball boys, thanks 🤦🏻‍♀️

[j.bee.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Empire Of Lust ARC Review:

3/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️
4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

TROPES:
🖤Dark Romance
🖤Age Gap
🖤Mafia/Billionaire
🖤Best Friends Father
🖤Breeding Kink
🖤Overly Possessive MC
🖤Forbidden


Bianca has had a crush on her best friends father Callum, since she was sixteen years old. Finding herself having to move in with her best friend and her father, she catches Callum with a women one night. Does she leave once she catches them or does she stay and watch?
Callum noticing Bianca over the years, tempting and taunting him. But reminding himself she’s his daughters best friend and can be nothing more. But after he catches her watching him, things completely change after that night. He is going to possess Bianca, claim her and make her his. And he will do anything and everything in his power to tie her down to him.
But Callum has his dark secrets. And once Bianca sees the real him will she stay or run as far as she possibly can?

Wheewwww! 😮‍💨 Let me tell you Daddy Callum is HOT! His craziness and possessiveness is seriously on another level! I loved that he was a straight up asshole and never apologized for it. Even with Bianca, he wasn’t soft and sweet with her he was mean! Lol but he really did care about her and wanted nothing more than to possess her. The action and the plot twist were so good! I love a good plot twist that you don’t see coming! But that cliffhanger though!? Omg like whyyyy? I already can’t wait to see what happens in the next book! 🖤