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The Undeniable #1
Shameless
What if you can’t trust your own mind? Connor He was my secret college crush, my obsession for three years. Until he found out, punished me, humiliated me and then promised to hunt me down. Now, with graduation behind me, I return to NY, to the top of my so called ivory tower, where my family rules the underground with an iron hand. He might be a cocky playboy with a gorgeous smile, but I'm done with this obsession. Only I'm not. Because he turns out to be a member of the Void, a rival mafia family. And when a murderous sex cult begins to drop bodies on both sides, guess who's assigned to accompany me to Paris to investigate our mutual enemy? Yeah. And he can't keep his hands off me. Austin Damn, today must be my lucky day. Because that shy, socially awkward guy from college walks right back into my life. Spluttering and blushing, so damn sweet. The ultimate definition of a turn-on. Only this trip to Paris is not quite what I expected. What should have been standard procedure, turns out to be a mind-altering event, and that’s not just the murderous sex-cult we’re facing. There’s something about Connor. He’s so much more . I wanted to have him. I never thought I’d want to keep him.
242 pages, Paperback
Published April 14, 2023
About the author
Lola Malone
25 books334 followersLola Malone writes dark, morally grey MM romance for readers who love obsession, mystery, and morally questionable men.
Her stories are filled with possessive heroes, dangerous secrets, and emotionally intense romances where loyalty is tested and no one leaves unchanged.
From elite academies and secret societies to distant worlds on the edge of collapse, every book explores the thin line between love and obsession.
If you love obsessive heroes, dark secrets, and romance that burns a little darker, welcome to Lola's world.
Her stories are filled with possessive heroes, dangerous secrets, and emotionally intense romances where loyalty is tested and no one leaves unchanged.
From elite academies and secret societies to distant worlds on the edge of collapse, every book explores the thin line between love and obsession.
If you love obsessive heroes, dark secrets, and romance that burns a little darker, welcome to Lola's world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
November 10, 2022
***I reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.***
Shameless is the newest entry in the Undeniable Series. This is the story of Connor and Austin who have quite an interesting history. They both attended the same college and share a connection that was intense for both, but nothing came from their brief encounter. Fast forward 5 years and both are working for different mafia families and find who is threatening both families safety and security.
One of my favorite aspects of this story is the chemistry and banter between Connor and Austin, they both get under the other's skin for different reasons. They both have major communication issues, which causes most of the misunderstanding throughout the story.
Some of my quibbles with this story is the lack of time spent on their relationship and feelings. Therefore the instalove was hard to understand why and how.
Another challenging aspect for me was the overall mystery that was the focus of their mission. I felt that it didn't really jibe well with the Connor and Austin relationship storyline and felt a bit rushed. Also the topic of manipulative cults are not a personal favorite, so that limited my enjoyment of that story.
Overall I did enjoy this story. When Austin and Connor are together they are magnetic, I think the story just needed to be a bit tighter to optimize my own personal enjoyment.
Shameless is the newest entry in the Undeniable Series. This is the story of Connor and Austin who have quite an interesting history. They both attended the same college and share a connection that was intense for both, but nothing came from their brief encounter. Fast forward 5 years and both are working for different mafia families and find who is threatening both families safety and security.
One of my favorite aspects of this story is the chemistry and banter between Connor and Austin, they both get under the other's skin for different reasons. They both have major communication issues, which causes most of the misunderstanding throughout the story.
Some of my quibbles with this story is the lack of time spent on their relationship and feelings. Therefore the instalove was hard to understand why and how.
Another challenging aspect for me was the overall mystery that was the focus of their mission. I felt that it didn't really jibe well with the Connor and Austin relationship storyline and felt a bit rushed. Also the topic of manipulative cults are not a personal favorite, so that limited my enjoyment of that story.
Overall I did enjoy this story. When Austin and Connor are together they are magnetic, I think the story just needed to be a bit tighter to optimize my own personal enjoyment.
November 11, 2022
Typical erotic book with no relationship building and all they share throughout the book is sex. They fuck and the next day they fight and avoid each other and pout and in the evening they fuck again and in the morning they pout and they avoid each other again. The MCs are insufferable ,one is a bully and the other an asshole. Then ,towards the end there’s a break up (don’t know what they actually broke) and then they see each other again, they fuck (of course) and they say a breathless I love you gazing into each other’s eyes. The epilogue is also a sex scene ,in case you were wondering. Oh and there’s some murders and some cult and more sex inside that cult (🙄) and in the end the murderer is not punished ,he is sent home but in his place they kill the guy who helped him . Yeah, don’t ask..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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December 28, 2022
Where to start? Shameless had a lot packed into it for a relatively shorter book.
This is the story of Connor and Austin. Two young men from different mafia families. Connor has been crushing on Austin in college, but a particular incident places Connor on Austin’s path. They have a very charged encounter. However, once they graduate, they go on their separate paths. Fast forward to the future, they learn that they come from prominent mafia backgrounds and now have to work together to stop a mysterious group from threatening their families. All this while dealing with unresolved and complicated feelings towards one another.
I enjoyed the interactions between Austin and Connor. Connor has some not-so-fond memories regarding Austin, so it takes time for him to warm up and trust Austin. I enjoyed their interactions and how their relationship did grow. It is very sexual, and I honestly did not mind. The last scene in the epilogue was one of my favourite scenes. I liked, however, how sweet Austin was with Connor (especially since Connor was a virgin) and how Connor became more sexually confident as well. There were moments of miscommunications or, rather, unsaid words that caused some issues between them. I also wish their relationship had more time to grow and develop. I think if the story had been longer, it would have allowed for it.
There is a lot of mystery, and as the story unravels, there are some twists and turns. The ending threw me for a loop, and I’m curious to know what will happen next. I rarely read mafia stories, but I really enjoyed this one. While this is the second book in the series, it can be read as a standalone. I believe this is Lola Malone’s first published MM work (and the second book overall), and I honestly think they did a great job. I look forward to their future works and am curious to see what is next in the Undeniable series (Crossing my fingers for another MM pairing).
This is the story of Connor and Austin. Two young men from different mafia families. Connor has been crushing on Austin in college, but a particular incident places Connor on Austin’s path. They have a very charged encounter. However, once they graduate, they go on their separate paths. Fast forward to the future, they learn that they come from prominent mafia backgrounds and now have to work together to stop a mysterious group from threatening their families. All this while dealing with unresolved and complicated feelings towards one another.
I enjoyed the interactions between Austin and Connor. Connor has some not-so-fond memories regarding Austin, so it takes time for him to warm up and trust Austin. I enjoyed their interactions and how their relationship did grow. It is very sexual, and I honestly did not mind. The last scene in the epilogue was one of my favourite scenes. I liked, however, how sweet Austin was with Connor (especially since Connor was a virgin) and how Connor became more sexually confident as well. There were moments of miscommunications or, rather, unsaid words that caused some issues between them. I also wish their relationship had more time to grow and develop. I think if the story had been longer, it would have allowed for it.
There is a lot of mystery, and as the story unravels, there are some twists and turns. The ending threw me for a loop, and I’m curious to know what will happen next. I rarely read mafia stories, but I really enjoyed this one. While this is the second book in the series, it can be read as a standalone. I believe this is Lola Malone’s first published MM work (and the second book overall), and I honestly think they did a great job. I look forward to their future works and am curious to see what is next in the Undeniable series (Crossing my fingers for another MM pairing).
January 6, 2023
"Push me around all you like, my love, as long as you give me your attention. I crave you."
Star Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
POV: Dual
HEA: Yes
Spice Rating: 4/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Overall Opinion
This was my first MM mafia book and also my first book from Lola, and I wish I'd jumped on the Lola train sooner! I cannot explain in words how much I loved this book, and how the author's writing style has me in its grips. It constantly had me on the edge of my seat with all the twists leaving me completely unsure what was to come, and I couldn't put it down for even one second. Austin and Connor could not be more perfect for one another but definitely love that the author made them fight for their HEA! The spice in this book was impeccable and the character and world building was done so well, leading to a refreshingly suspenseful story I devoured in one sitting!
Read if you like:
❣️ M/M Romance
❣️ Enemies to Lovers
❣️ Mafia
❣️ Forced Proximity
❣️ Virgin MC
❣️ HEA
Star Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
POV: Dual
HEA: Yes
Spice Rating: 4/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Overall Opinion
This was my first MM mafia book and also my first book from Lola, and I wish I'd jumped on the Lola train sooner! I cannot explain in words how much I loved this book, and how the author's writing style has me in its grips. It constantly had me on the edge of my seat with all the twists leaving me completely unsure what was to come, and I couldn't put it down for even one second. Austin and Connor could not be more perfect for one another but definitely love that the author made them fight for their HEA! The spice in this book was impeccable and the character and world building was done so well, leading to a refreshingly suspenseful story I devoured in one sitting!
Read if you like:
❣️ M/M Romance
❣️ Enemies to Lovers
❣️ Mafia
❣️ Forced Proximity
❣️ Virgin MC
❣️ HEA
March 26, 2023
- romantic suspense
- mafia/organized crime
- murder sex cult
- forced proximity
- high steam
- bully
After a secret obsession with a hockey player from his college gets found out, Connor gets cornered and humiliated by the object of his desire. With a few months until graduation he’s ready to put Austin and his humiliation behind him.
Except now six months later Connor and Austin are in Paris together on a mission to track down a murderous sex cult that has been taking our members of their family’s respective organizations. Connor’s obsession flares anew as tension rises between him and Austin and as the lines blur between them, Connor can’t resist no matter how hard he tries.
Austin was such an ass and showed his ‘feelings’ for Connor by pushing all his buttons—the hate flirt is strong 🤣. Connor was secretly a badass, and I loved the glimpses we got to see of that throughout as they worked in the case. The chemistry between them was intense, the spice was fantastic, and I loved their joint venture at the end!
Can’t wait to dive into book two!
- mafia/organized crime
- murder sex cult
- forced proximity
- high steam
- bully
After a secret obsession with a hockey player from his college gets found out, Connor gets cornered and humiliated by the object of his desire. With a few months until graduation he’s ready to put Austin and his humiliation behind him.
Except now six months later Connor and Austin are in Paris together on a mission to track down a murderous sex cult that has been taking our members of their family’s respective organizations. Connor’s obsession flares anew as tension rises between him and Austin and as the lines blur between them, Connor can’t resist no matter how hard he tries.
Austin was such an ass and showed his ‘feelings’ for Connor by pushing all his buttons—the hate flirt is strong 🤣. Connor was secretly a badass, and I loved the glimpses we got to see of that throughout as they worked in the case. The chemistry between them was intense, the spice was fantastic, and I loved their joint venture at the end!
Can’t wait to dive into book two!
January 15, 2023
Shameless is a book that follows the shy, introverted Connor and the guy he had a crush on for a long time Austin. They meet for the first time in Switzerland where they're studying in college. Their meeting is quite frankly hot and unexpected. My interest spiked the moment these two came together.
Fast forward years later, they meet again, but they don't meet as students or old acquaintances. No, they meet as enemies. Why? Well, Connor and Austin belong to two different mafia families. And here's the moment things get interesting. Connor feels humiliated by him and what happened years ago. But he also craves Austin like no one else. He wants to push him, needs to do it... but is it really that easy when everything in him wants everything that Austin is? Every glance, every touch, every caress and so much more makes it difficult to resist him.
Austin is the cocky, confident type that always gets what he wants. And right now his attention is razor focused on the guy he couldn't get out of his head for years.
The plot follows the problems these two mafia families are facing. (we have a sex cult and hypnosis, so if these things bother you please be aware since it's heavily included in the story). Austin and Connor embark on a trip to Paris where they need to find out who exactly targets their families and take them down. But in the process can they really resist the pull to each other, and do they even want to?
This book has:
- shy, introverted MC who also has a confident side to him that you will love
- a cocky, bad boy vibes MC who is hell-bent on having Connor and bullying him a bit in the process
- enemies to lovers
- dirty talk
- banter that will make you laugh
- HOT smut and first times
- a complex plot that follows the mafia family trying to find out who keeps targeting them (sex cult, hypnosis in detail)
- dark romance (it depends on the reader whether he will see it as a dark romance, for me it was on the light side since I've read darker books, but it did include some dark things so I most definitely would categorize it as dark romance)
- captivating writing style
- HEA
Reasons for giving 4 stars:
The plot as a whole was interesting. But here comes the reason for the 4 stars. It was confusing at times, I had difficulty following the story, what was happening, and why it was happening. With all of these cult things and especially the hypnosis... it was hard to understand. The side characters, in the beginning, confused me too.
One more thing, the first chapter of the book had me beyond confused. I didn't know who was the narrator behind that chapter. Was it Connor, or was it Austin? Well, it took me some time to figure it out. It was neither. So when you read the first chapter keep in mind that it's from the point of view of the person who keeps killing Austin's and Connor's mafia members.
As a whole, I enjoyed this book and I will most definitely read more by Lola Malone. Her writing and the idea were amazing. And I did love the main characters.
Fast forward years later, they meet again, but they don't meet as students or old acquaintances. No, they meet as enemies. Why? Well, Connor and Austin belong to two different mafia families. And here's the moment things get interesting. Connor feels humiliated by him and what happened years ago. But he also craves Austin like no one else. He wants to push him, needs to do it... but is it really that easy when everything in him wants everything that Austin is? Every glance, every touch, every caress and so much more makes it difficult to resist him.
Austin is the cocky, confident type that always gets what he wants. And right now his attention is razor focused on the guy he couldn't get out of his head for years.
The plot follows the problems these two mafia families are facing. (we have a sex cult and hypnosis, so if these things bother you please be aware since it's heavily included in the story). Austin and Connor embark on a trip to Paris where they need to find out who exactly targets their families and take them down. But in the process can they really resist the pull to each other, and do they even want to?
This book has:
- shy, introverted MC who also has a confident side to him that you will love
- a cocky, bad boy vibes MC who is hell-bent on having Connor and bullying him a bit in the process
- enemies to lovers
- dirty talk
- banter that will make you laugh
- HOT smut and first times
- a complex plot that follows the mafia family trying to find out who keeps targeting them (sex cult, hypnosis in detail)
- dark romance (it depends on the reader whether he will see it as a dark romance, for me it was on the light side since I've read darker books, but it did include some dark things so I most definitely would categorize it as dark romance)
- captivating writing style
- HEA
"Ahh, my princess is upset."
"I'm not your princess, you idiot."
"Oh fuck, I hate you. Fuck, fuck-"
"That's it baby, so good. You're doing so good for me."
Connor Donnely is a shy, introverted, fascinating mystery. And I'm... well, shameless.
Reasons for giving 4 stars:
The plot as a whole was interesting. But here comes the reason for the 4 stars. It was confusing at times, I had difficulty following the story, what was happening, and why it was happening. With all of these cult things and especially the hypnosis... it was hard to understand. The side characters, in the beginning, confused me too.
One more thing, the first chapter of the book had me beyond confused. I didn't know who was the narrator behind that chapter. Was it Connor, or was it Austin? Well, it took me some time to figure it out. It was neither. So when you read the first chapter keep in mind that it's from the point of view of the person who keeps killing Austin's and Connor's mafia members.
As a whole, I enjoyed this book and I will most definitely read more by Lola Malone. Her writing and the idea were amazing. And I did love the main characters.
June 28, 2024
Hmmmmmm...
I didnt understand the cults motive...
Why was the guy killing their people? To take over...? To recruit lonely people.....?
How did the cult all the way in Paris connect with the business / the void in New York?
I'm confused, even after going back and re reading..
The first half I was enjoying their hot and cold act, but dang, it didn't stop. Are you sure they liked each other?
I felt like Austin was really trying, but Connor shut down and turned into a complete dick...oh...then, he goes and leaves Austin at a crazy ass sex cult party where people are being hypnotized!! idk, man, that was a dick move. My face was pretty hot reading that....how could you? Just wait till you read the reason Connors feelings were hurt. It wasn't even a miscommunication. He didn't say a goddamn word, but expected Austin to know what he was thinking... EXTREMELY frustrating.
His inner thoughts about the guy did NOT match up to any of his actions.
The ending was okay. I might read on to see if the series gets any better.
No cheating/No OM.
“Marking my territory, princess. Now, be a good boy and give me what I want.”
I didnt understand the cults motive...
Why was the guy killing their people? To take over...? To recruit lonely people.....?
How did the cult all the way in Paris connect with the business / the void in New York?
I'm confused, even after going back and re reading..
The first half I was enjoying their hot and cold act, but dang, it didn't stop. Are you sure they liked each other?
I felt like Austin was really trying, but Connor shut down and turned into a complete dick...oh...then, he goes and leaves Austin at a crazy ass sex cult party where people are being hypnotized!! idk, man, that was a dick move. My face was pretty hot reading that....how could you? Just wait till you read the reason Connors feelings were hurt. It wasn't even a miscommunication. He didn't say a goddamn word, but expected Austin to know what he was thinking... EXTREMELY frustrating.
His inner thoughts about the guy did NOT match up to any of his actions.
The ending was okay. I might read on to see if the series gets any better.
No cheating/No OM.
“Marking my territory, princess. Now, be a good boy and give me what I want.”
December 13, 2023
This was confusing...
The characters basically NEVER talk to each other but somehow they fall in love 🧐🧐🧐
The whole cult plot didn't really make sense either and the resolution was fucking weird. Then they decided to go back to Paris after, which left me even more confused 😂
But despite all that I didn't want to stop reading - kind of like a slow motion car crash where you just can't look away I guess ... Kind of looking forward to the next book weirdly.
The characters basically NEVER talk to each other but somehow they fall in love 🧐🧐🧐
The whole cult plot didn't really make sense either and the resolution was fucking weird. Then they decided to go back to Paris after, which left me even more confused 😂
But despite all that I didn't want to stop reading - kind of like a slow motion car crash where you just can't look away I guess ... Kind of looking forward to the next book weirdly.
October 30, 2022
Book given in exchange for review
This book!!! It was so damm good!! Lola did a number on me though! There’s me just plodding along reading this great book, I could not put it down……THEN…….she goes and punches me in the face with a big fat plot twist!!! Like what!!! How can you do me like that??? I messaged her like what the hell!!!! I was reading it and I thought I was gonna have a heat attack, I was like no way is this happening!!! It was brutal on my heart!!! BUT……she put me back together, my god it was good!!!
This book is about 2 family’s in the world of sex, drugs and crime who have to work together to figure out who is murdering people on their territory, 2 families that don’t like each other, who don’t trust each other, but that need each other to go to the dark side of a sex cult.
Connor and Austin are the family members that have to go to Paris to get the info they need, but they have a brief past and neither of them are happy about the new deal but suck it up for their family’s. Connor was humiliated in college by Austin, he didn’t think he’d see him again let alone have to work together, but he would do anything for his family, even put up with Austin and his bullying. Austin has never gotten over his obsession with Connor so when the opportunity presents itself, Austin jumps on it, he loves to torture Connor he loves seeing him angry, can he finally get what he’s been craving for?
This book was like a cat, one minute you’re stroking them sleeping on your lap, next second it’s scratched your face and your left bleeding.
This is a dark, enemies to lovers, mafia romance, go read it!!!
Out November 10th
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
This book!!! It was so damm good!! Lola did a number on me though! There’s me just plodding along reading this great book, I could not put it down……THEN…….she goes and punches me in the face with a big fat plot twist!!! Like what!!! How can you do me like that??? I messaged her like what the hell!!!! I was reading it and I thought I was gonna have a heat attack, I was like no way is this happening!!! It was brutal on my heart!!! BUT……she put me back together, my god it was good!!!
This book is about 2 family’s in the world of sex, drugs and crime who have to work together to figure out who is murdering people on their territory, 2 families that don’t like each other, who don’t trust each other, but that need each other to go to the dark side of a sex cult.
Connor and Austin are the family members that have to go to Paris to get the info they need, but they have a brief past and neither of them are happy about the new deal but suck it up for their family’s. Connor was humiliated in college by Austin, he didn’t think he’d see him again let alone have to work together, but he would do anything for his family, even put up with Austin and his bullying. Austin has never gotten over his obsession with Connor so when the opportunity presents itself, Austin jumps on it, he loves to torture Connor he loves seeing him angry, can he finally get what he’s been craving for?
This book was like a cat, one minute you’re stroking them sleeping on your lap, next second it’s scratched your face and your left bleeding.
This is a dark, enemies to lovers, mafia romance, go read it!!!
Out November 10th
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
June 1, 2023
And the title of the worst book I have recently read goes to "Shameless". I wanted to DNF it so badly, but reading it was like watching a trainwreck - you know it's going to be painful, but somehow you can't stop yourself.
Let's start with the main theme - mafia. Well... It felt like small kids pretending to be big, bad boys. If everyone behaved so stupidly and recklessly like them, there wouldn't be a problem with organized crime anywhere. To show their "bad" side, the author mentioned drugs and sex clubs several times. Wow, simply wow... The level of incompetence was something else.
Next, we have romance. I understand instalove, even if I'm not a fan of this trope. But here it was comical and unbelievable. And the big confession? Yeah, let's not comment on it. The constant push and pull was exhausting; Connor was a pathetic loser; the case would be better solved by the Scooby Gang.
And in the acknowledgments, the author thanks an editor for their work, but I strongly believe that the book should be checked at least one more time. A few mistakes may happen to everyone, but there are too many of them. Not to mention the awkward sentences. And plot holes, and forgetting stuff that was mentioned earlier.
Overall, Shamless is a perfect example of false advertising. It promises to be something that it isn't.
Tu sum it up, the best example of this whole book:
Let's start with the main theme - mafia. Well... It felt like small kids pretending to be big, bad boys. If everyone behaved so stupidly and recklessly like them, there wouldn't be a problem with organized crime anywhere. To show their "bad" side, the author mentioned drugs and sex clubs several times. Wow, simply wow... The level of incompetence was something else.
Next, we have romance. I understand instalove, even if I'm not a fan of this trope. But here it was comical and unbelievable. And the big confession? Yeah, let's not comment on it. The constant push and pull was exhausting; Connor was a pathetic loser; the case would be better solved by the Scooby Gang.
And in the acknowledgments, the author thanks an editor for their work, but I strongly believe that the book should be checked at least one more time. A few mistakes may happen to everyone, but there are too many of them. Not to mention the awkward sentences. And plot holes, and forgetting stuff that was mentioned earlier.
Overall, Shamless is a perfect example of false advertising. It promises to be something that it isn't.
Tu sum it up, the best example of this whole book:
His muscles are so tense, I wouldn't even get a credit card in between those delectable ass cheeks.
March 29, 2023
I liked it but at the same time I had some issues with it. Austin seemed strong and an alpha male, and sometimes he was, but other times (and I'm not saying he has to be strong all the time, far from that) he seemed a scared teenager, I don't know how to explain it better. Connor was cool, I liked him, he was much more than what he appeared to be but he didn't communicate with Austin, like he askes him half of a question, if not a quarter of one, and expects Austin to understand what he wants, like the Hell???? Instead of just talking to him, he ghosts him and doesn't explain anything, you don't do that to someone you supposedly love, him loving you back or not. I felt like Austin made more effort in their relationship working than Connor, when it's supposed to be an equal effort. I will read the rest, I just hoped it's better
October 22, 2023
Re-read, because I'm continuing with reading this series.
I'm rounding it down from 4.4⭐ (in my defence I was way too excited for this series about a year ago) on my original review to 3.5⭐ on this re-read, after now reading the whole series.
I do remember feeling good after finishing this book though and I was very excited about the things to come, the development of the future stories, so there's that.
I'm rounding it down now, because having finished the last book in the series, I can now objectively give out this rating; none of the books reach 4⭐, the last in the series is the best by far.
____________________________________
Original review from Dec-12th-2022
4.4⭐
I stumbled across this book on IG when a reader was recommending it.
I'm pleasantly surprised.
Surprised, and a little disappointed, because the author had an amazing, wonderful idea, many ideas actually, and I believe she didn't milk the ideas all the way.
💙 Dark mafia, although it wasn't that dark
💜 Enemies-to-lovers
💚 Forced proximity
🤍 Virgin MC
🌶️ Really good spice
❤️ Wonderful HEA + epilogue
The story is about Connor, an introvert and a nerd, who meets Austin in college in Switzerland, well, not much meet him as in Connor stalks him, because he has a crush on the handsome hockey player and when he takes a pic of him naked in the shower and has his fun in his room, one of his bullies records him and sends it to Austin - this is where their story really begins.
Austin has his way with the shy cute nerd and that's that; they finish college and go their separate ways , Connor ashamed and still having a crush, but going back to his family, The Business - a mob family in NYC.
They have a rival, and that is Austin's family, called The Void, and Connor has no idea that Austin is from that family.
As it turns out, both mob families have a mutual enemy, a french cult that is murdering their people and they have to work together to stop the cult.
When Connor realises that means he'll have to be working with Austin, he's strongly against it, but they find themselves in Paris, working and living together, where they inevitably get close.
The tension is high, their chemistry is totally and completely palpable, but they don't have sex just yet, though the spice is really good.
They're dealing with an important and powerful enemy, so the stakes are high, it's dangerous and one of them could lose their life.
I found both MMC's were great, wonderfully developed characters, Connor being this shy, virgin nerd, but very, very smart and still very much in love with Austin.
What surprised me was Austin. He, as it turned out, was not as bad as I thought in the beginning of the book, I though that the love story maybe won't develop as much as it actually did, because it was mostly physical for the majority of the book, but Austin completely surprised me, he truthfully fell in love with Connor and fought for him, big time.
They have sex at the very end and don't worry, it's worth the wait, the whole story is so well paced and damn interesting, you won't put it down.
The spice is very good, the emotional ride is there, when they finally do get their HEA, it's the sweetest thing. I loved it.
The french cult that they were dealing with was very interesting. They had sex parties and they were using hypnosis. I know they were crazy, but kill me for wanting to know more about their leader, the Initiator. He seems like a crazy hot villain and yeah, I totally want to read his book!
What was missing for me in this particular book was the feeling that there should have been a few books before this one. Books with The Business and The Void characters, because they were all so damn interesting and I felt like I was missing out.
The french cult part was so good and I was hoping they would be dealt with more, we'd get to read about it a bit more, they were really intriguing and I would hate for them to just back off or end it all, I want them to have their own stories, even though they're batshit crazy.
So this was the Initiator, he's the highest ranking in the cult, he's a master of hypnosis and yeah, he has piercings, but I couldn't find one with a labret piercing.
They're all hot, but he's like the top notch guy. Wouldn't you want his book??
I'm rounding it down from 4.4⭐ (in my defence I was way too excited for this series about a year ago) on my original review to 3.5⭐ on this re-read, after now reading the whole series.
I do remember feeling good after finishing this book though and I was very excited about the things to come, the development of the future stories, so there's that.
I'm rounding it down now, because having finished the last book in the series, I can now objectively give out this rating; none of the books reach 4⭐, the last in the series is the best by far.
____________________________________
Original review from Dec-12th-2022
4.4⭐
I stumbled across this book on IG when a reader was recommending it.
I'm pleasantly surprised.
Surprised, and a little disappointed, because the author had an amazing, wonderful idea, many ideas actually, and I believe she didn't milk the ideas all the way.
💙 Dark mafia, although it wasn't that dark
💜 Enemies-to-lovers
💚 Forced proximity
🤍 Virgin MC
🌶️ Really good spice
❤️ Wonderful HEA + epilogue
The story is about Connor, an introvert and a nerd, who meets Austin in college in Switzerland, well, not much meet him as in Connor stalks him, because he has a crush on the handsome hockey player and when he takes a pic of him naked in the shower and has his fun in his room, one of his bullies records him and sends it to Austin - this is where their story really begins.
Austin has his way with the shy cute nerd and that's that; they finish college and go their separate ways , Connor ashamed and still having a crush, but going back to his family, The Business - a mob family in NYC.
They have a rival, and that is Austin's family, called The Void, and Connor has no idea that Austin is from that family.
As it turns out, both mob families have a mutual enemy, a french cult that is murdering their people and they have to work together to stop the cult.
When Connor realises that means he'll have to be working with Austin, he's strongly against it, but they find themselves in Paris, working and living together, where they inevitably get close.
The tension is high, their chemistry is totally and completely palpable, but they don't have sex just yet, though the spice is really good.
They're dealing with an important and powerful enemy, so the stakes are high, it's dangerous and one of them could lose their life.
I found both MMC's were great, wonderfully developed characters, Connor being this shy, virgin nerd, but very, very smart and still very much in love with Austin.
What surprised me was Austin. He, as it turned out, was not as bad as I thought in the beginning of the book, I though that the love story maybe won't develop as much as it actually did, because it was mostly physical for the majority of the book, but Austin completely surprised me, he truthfully fell in love with Connor and fought for him, big time.
They have sex at the very end and don't worry, it's worth the wait, the whole story is so well paced and damn interesting, you won't put it down.
The spice is very good, the emotional ride is there, when they finally do get their HEA, it's the sweetest thing. I loved it.
The french cult that they were dealing with was very interesting. They had sex parties and they were using hypnosis. I know they were crazy, but kill me for wanting to know more about their leader, the Initiator. He seems like a crazy hot villain and yeah, I totally want to read his book!
What was missing for me in this particular book was the feeling that there should have been a few books before this one. Books with The Business and The Void characters, because they were all so damn interesting and I felt like I was missing out.
The french cult part was so good and I was hoping they would be dealt with more, we'd get to read about it a bit more, they were really intriguing and I would hate for them to just back off or end it all, I want them to have their own stories, even though they're batshit crazy.
So this was the Initiator, he's the highest ranking in the cult, he's a master of hypnosis and yeah, he has piercings, but I couldn't find one with a labret piercing.
They're all hot, but he's like the top notch guy. Wouldn't you want his book??
January 6, 2023
This was my first read by Lola Malone and you can tell that the story that was being told was important to the author. You can tell that her ideas where solid and the writing itself was pretty good. I believe this is only her second published book, and I was rather impressed with her creativity but at the same time was a bit disappointed in some of the execution, particularly the pace of the story and some of the events that took place; how little depth there was when it really mattered, to me anyways.
As for the characters I absolutely LOVED Austin, he was hot and had a dirty mouth and was possessive and...shameless in his quest to get and keep our second MC Connor. He's the bad boy hottie that has charm that can seduce even the shyest boys. And Connor was very different in his shyness and inexperience's, but he was also confident in his brilliant mind, and he was determined. They were definitely hot together and the chemistry was really good but again the time that went into their relationship build felt rushed and surface level when in the beginning it showed a lot of promise. I really wanted more of them through the entire book. If this book had been more of them getting together and not at each other's throats or running away after they were intimate each time, I really would have loved this book. I loved the beginning and how they officially met and really loved the surprise to both of them when they discovered they are basically rival families.
I did have some other issues but not enough to say it wasn't a good story. I did not read the first book in this series and only because it was a MF relationship. I would have loved to see where this whole thing started, The Business, run by the Donnelly's, The Void, run by the Corrigan's, and all the elements and people that were important to each "organization". My one major issue was when the story was getting really good it would jump back to more mild tone and I was just starting to get excited, so that was a bit of a letdown. And one major aspect of the story, the hypnosis, was really well done but again I felt like something important was missing when the close of the story was so simple. Maybe?
The family aspect was good and that always adds more heart to any story, so I was pleased with that. But I often got confused on which family we were talking about when names were dropped. Again, I think that may be due to the fact I jumped into this book blind.
As I mentioned the pacing and the lack of some depth in some areas were hard for me to look past, but I did really love our MC's and I am looking forward to more in this series. The chemistry was defiantly there, and Lola can write a really sexy scene for sure. And the last scene was kind of epic, totally falls into the morally gray areas that I LOVE in a series like this! I also really enjoyed where Austin and Connor's future together went and that they were able to be happy and have their own new name in the Organization.
Giving this one 3 stars, it was good, and I will read on and hope for a bit more in the end!
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book provided by Passion Author Services.
As for the characters I absolutely LOVED Austin, he was hot and had a dirty mouth and was possessive and...shameless in his quest to get and keep our second MC Connor. He's the bad boy hottie that has charm that can seduce even the shyest boys. And Connor was very different in his shyness and inexperience's, but he was also confident in his brilliant mind, and he was determined. They were definitely hot together and the chemistry was really good but again the time that went into their relationship build felt rushed and surface level when in the beginning it showed a lot of promise. I really wanted more of them through the entire book. If this book had been more of them getting together and not at each other's throats or running away after they were intimate each time, I really would have loved this book. I loved the beginning and how they officially met and really loved the surprise to both of them when they discovered they are basically rival families.
I did have some other issues but not enough to say it wasn't a good story. I did not read the first book in this series and only because it was a MF relationship. I would have loved to see where this whole thing started, The Business, run by the Donnelly's, The Void, run by the Corrigan's, and all the elements and people that were important to each "organization". My one major issue was when the story was getting really good it would jump back to more mild tone and I was just starting to get excited, so that was a bit of a letdown. And one major aspect of the story, the hypnosis, was really well done but again I felt like something important was missing when the close of the story was so simple. Maybe?
The family aspect was good and that always adds more heart to any story, so I was pleased with that. But I often got confused on which family we were talking about when names were dropped. Again, I think that may be due to the fact I jumped into this book blind.
As I mentioned the pacing and the lack of some depth in some areas were hard for me to look past, but I did really love our MC's and I am looking forward to more in this series. The chemistry was defiantly there, and Lola can write a really sexy scene for sure. And the last scene was kind of epic, totally falls into the morally gray areas that I LOVE in a series like this! I also really enjoyed where Austin and Connor's future together went and that they were able to be happy and have their own new name in the Organization.
Giving this one 3 stars, it was good, and I will read on and hope for a bit more in the end!
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book provided by Passion Author Services.
April 18, 2023
Think this is my first by this author. It was pretty good although it was very disjoint. It's obviously trying to set up other stories and not very smoothly but sometimes you get that at the start of a series. Lot of spelling errors. I didn't like Austin at first but I ended up liking him the most so that's cool.
March 30, 2023
dnf 45%
very boring.
no relationship building between the MCs.
most of the time during the conversations i don’t understand who talk to who, this is very confusing
and the plot with the french cult ? well, there is more conversations about it than real actions
very boring.
no relationship building between the MCs.
most of the time during the conversations i don’t understand who talk to who, this is very confusing
and the plot with the french cult ? well, there is more conversations about it than real actions
July 27, 2023
Let me just start by saying... This was hot and sweet and cute and all kinds of amazing. I had a really good time with this book.
A shy, introverted, sensitive and way too smart, Connor, tangled with an arrogant, bull-headed and impulsive Austin who wanted him BADLY, made a pretty adorable and fun couple on its own. But combined with a mafia plot, really hot dub-con sex, crazy cult killings and that gobsmacking fucking twist at the end... It was a fantastic recipe.
The plot was great, the writing was good, the couple was hot and funny... And it left me with an evil smirk on my face and a twinkle in my eye at the end.
I'd rec it for sure. ❤
PS- Is it bad that I am super attracted to the killer in this book. He was insane and attractive. Best combo ever. 🥵💀
A shy, introverted, sensitive and way too smart, Connor, tangled with an arrogant, bull-headed and impulsive Austin who wanted him BADLY, made a pretty adorable and fun couple on its own. But combined with a mafia plot, really hot dub-con sex, crazy cult killings and that gobsmacking fucking twist at the end... It was a fantastic recipe.
The plot was great, the writing was good, the couple was hot and funny... And it left me with an evil smirk on my face and a twinkle in my eye at the end.
I'd rec it for sure. ❤
PS- Is it bad that I am super attracted to the killer in this book. He was insane and attractive. Best combo ever. 🥵💀
March 13, 2023
Thank you Lola Malone for messaging me. I started the book from KU and I just couldn't put it down. Austin is just the best instigator and thirst trap. And Connor and that photo he took! He's the irresistible mark for Austin's attention. I just loved all the times they came together it was so electric and they had such a dynamic. As much as Connor hated how he would get to him he also seemed to really like it.
The forced proximity with the rival gangs working together is so beautiful. I just love dual pov when they both want eachother but they are taking things slow, well emotionally slow.
The investigation they are on is also interesting with a crazy sex cult. Omg these guys though!
The forced proximity with the rival gangs working together is so beautiful. I just love dual pov when they both want eachother but they are taking things slow, well emotionally slow.
The investigation they are on is also interesting with a crazy sex cult. Omg these guys though!
January 3, 2023
Definitely must read!
Wow, I just couldn’t get enough of this story. Austin and Connor were one heck of a couple. This enemies to lovers MM mafia romance is definitely a must read!
This story had me hooked from the start. The mystery of finding out who the killer is and all the way down to the spicy scenes, I just couldn’t put this book down.
Wow, I just couldn’t get enough of this story. Austin and Connor were one heck of a couple. This enemies to lovers MM mafia romance is definitely a must read!
This story had me hooked from the start. The mystery of finding out who the killer is and all the way down to the spicy scenes, I just couldn’t put this book down.
April 20, 2023
What a fun and entertaining book!
I had a really good time! 😃
The pace is good and it reads very quickly.
I really liked the twist at the end...
And the abandoned church scene! 🔥🔥🔥
I’m very curious now and can't wait to see what the other books have in store for us...
⚠️ I didn't find anything particularly too shocking but just to be sure if you think you need it, check the trigger warnings…
🖤 Romantic suspense (dark-ish)
🖤 Bully elements
🖤 Cult life / hypnosis
🖤 Set in a mafia world
I had a really good time! 😃
The pace is good and it reads very quickly.
I really liked the twist at the end...
And the abandoned church scene! 🔥🔥🔥
I’m very curious now and can't wait to see what the other books have in store for us...
⚠️ I didn't find anything particularly too shocking but just to be sure if you think you need it, check the trigger warnings…
🖤 Romantic suspense (dark-ish)
🖤 Bully elements
🖤 Cult life / hypnosis
🖤 Set in a mafia world
April 3, 2023
Shameless by Lola Malone
-Dark Romance
- M/M
- Forced proximity
- Dirty talk
- Enemies to Lovers
- Mafia
Omg to say I loved this book, is an understatement!!
The story sucked me in straight away. I've always been a sucker for an enemies to lovers trope, the bully gets me everytime. The plot was great and the romance between the two even better.
Connor and Austin met at college. Connor, being the shy nerd who always kept to himself & Austin being the popular bully who's on the hockey team. Connor always watched Austin from afar and had a secret crush on Austin. Until one day Connor taking a photo gets him in trouble with Austin🥵🥵
A few months down the track after graduation, they find eachother again because of there families and are forced to work together (which Austin gets a kick out of).
I loved the chemistry between Austin & Connor, just the way Austin would annoy and bully Connor to get a reaction & his attention. I loved how Austin ultimately fell hard for Connor. There are a few twists at the end that had me like WHAT!?
-Dark Romance
- M/M
- Forced proximity
- Dirty talk
- Enemies to Lovers
- Mafia
Omg to say I loved this book, is an understatement!!
The story sucked me in straight away. I've always been a sucker for an enemies to lovers trope, the bully gets me everytime. The plot was great and the romance between the two even better.
Connor and Austin met at college. Connor, being the shy nerd who always kept to himself & Austin being the popular bully who's on the hockey team. Connor always watched Austin from afar and had a secret crush on Austin. Until one day Connor taking a photo gets him in trouble with Austin🥵🥵
A few months down the track after graduation, they find eachother again because of there families and are forced to work together (which Austin gets a kick out of).
I loved the chemistry between Austin & Connor, just the way Austin would annoy and bully Connor to get a reaction & his attention. I loved how Austin ultimately fell hard for Connor. There are a few twists at the end that had me like WHAT!?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2023
The plot & idea potential is there, just needed a bit of streamlining with a bit more focus on the romance. But definitely still enjoyed the story and will read the next book(s)
January 10, 2023
Rating: ☆☆☆ Spice: 🌶🌶🌶
Angst: 🧐😢😈
Cliffhanger? More a HFN as the overall story arc will continue with Fierce
Do I recommend? I believe in everyone giving an author a try.
Tropes: MM mafia romance, romantic suspense, enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, opposites attract, light bully
Shameless is a hauntingly, seductive story of two men that belonged to rival crime organizations in New York. Conner Donnelly held a position high up in The Business, a family organization much like the mafia. Conner knew of Austin Carrington from college. For four years, his obsession with the hockey star refused to die. Austin was set to take over The Void, a rival organization. Despite one embarrassing moment for them at school they will have to learn to work together. A French cult is working behind the scenes, killing members of both organizations. Conner and Austin will work together to find the culprit. Their one encounter hadn't been entirely malicious on Austin's part and he began his own obsession with Conner. Austin is determined to find the killer but would love to make the shy and brilliant Conner his as well. Will they find their HEA or will the hypnotic cult have the last word?
The whole concept of this story was truly unique and interesting. With the hypnosis involved, I almost fell under the spell as well. It also had imaginative bones but needed a lot more fleshing out. While I loved both characters, I needed more to feel that their connection with each other. The ending truly confused me. I struggled to understand exactly what the play was. But I loved the sex cult aspect. I will continue on with this series for that alone. This is my honest opinion, freely given.
Angst: 🧐😢😈
Cliffhanger? More a HFN as the overall story arc will continue with Fierce
Do I recommend? I believe in everyone giving an author a try.
Tropes: MM mafia romance, romantic suspense, enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, opposites attract, light bully
Shameless is a hauntingly, seductive story of two men that belonged to rival crime organizations in New York. Conner Donnelly held a position high up in The Business, a family organization much like the mafia. Conner knew of Austin Carrington from college. For four years, his obsession with the hockey star refused to die. Austin was set to take over The Void, a rival organization. Despite one embarrassing moment for them at school they will have to learn to work together. A French cult is working behind the scenes, killing members of both organizations. Conner and Austin will work together to find the culprit. Their one encounter hadn't been entirely malicious on Austin's part and he began his own obsession with Conner. Austin is determined to find the killer but would love to make the shy and brilliant Conner his as well. Will they find their HEA or will the hypnotic cult have the last word?
The whole concept of this story was truly unique and interesting. With the hypnosis involved, I almost fell under the spell as well. It also had imaginative bones but needed a lot more fleshing out. While I loved both characters, I needed more to feel that their connection with each other. The ending truly confused me. I struggled to understand exactly what the play was. But I loved the sex cult aspect. I will continue on with this series for that alone. This is my honest opinion, freely given.
April 8, 2023
4.5 stars. Their first real encounter at college was dark and cruel, one that Connor wants to forget and Austin never.
Austin is the Captain of the hockey team. Connor is a straight-A student in IT, and doing a minor in photography. Conner is in love with Austin, but the guy never noticed him. In the locker room with a view of the showers, Connor can’t help himself, sneakily watching Austin shower. Someone snitched about it and now Austin has something to blackmail him with.
“Notre famille arrive. Soyez prêts.”
They couldn’t predict they’d meet again three years later. Both Conner and Austin are coming from mafia families. Austin from The Void, Connor’s The Business, rival families ruling the underworld of New York. For the importance of both their families, Austin and Connor will work together to uncover their mutual enemy, in France, Paris. Because from both clans people were found dead, hanging on ropes.
While Connor is the right-hand of his brother, who is the head of the family, he’s shy. Austin on the other hand is mister confidence himself.
Austin can never know Connor is in love with him. Well, surprise, Austin never forgot Connor, he’s way too intrigued by him, and he can’t keep his hands off him.
The combination of solving the problem with the assassin and the rising heat and intense chemistry between Austin and Connor was excellent. I was glued to the pages. Hot and intriguing AF.
The whole story was super entertaining and the plot was smartly thought out. I loved both men, their layered characters were wonderfully developed.
Overall a strongly written story, enthralling, hot, exciting, and sweet at times. I do love some good hot mafia stories.
Austin is the Captain of the hockey team. Connor is a straight-A student in IT, and doing a minor in photography. Conner is in love with Austin, but the guy never noticed him. In the locker room with a view of the showers, Connor can’t help himself, sneakily watching Austin shower. Someone snitched about it and now Austin has something to blackmail him with.
“Notre famille arrive. Soyez prêts.”
They couldn’t predict they’d meet again three years later. Both Conner and Austin are coming from mafia families. Austin from The Void, Connor’s The Business, rival families ruling the underworld of New York. For the importance of both their families, Austin and Connor will work together to uncover their mutual enemy, in France, Paris. Because from both clans people were found dead, hanging on ropes.
While Connor is the right-hand of his brother, who is the head of the family, he’s shy. Austin on the other hand is mister confidence himself.
Austin can never know Connor is in love with him. Well, surprise, Austin never forgot Connor, he’s way too intrigued by him, and he can’t keep his hands off him.
The combination of solving the problem with the assassin and the rising heat and intense chemistry between Austin and Connor was excellent. I was glued to the pages. Hot and intriguing AF.
The whole story was super entertaining and the plot was smartly thought out. I loved both men, their layered characters were wonderfully developed.
Overall a strongly written story, enthralling, hot, exciting, and sweet at times. I do love some good hot mafia stories.
January 13, 2023
This story has a fun start featuring a scene with a camera and a shower which nicely leads the first part of the book to gently tease the reader with lots of flirty banter and pink blushes. It was a lot of fun getting to know this side of the MC'S. The narrative takes a turn in direction and moves into darker and more serious themes, it felt like the characters grew up overnight. This gives their characters a new image and we see their Jekyll sides but still with the constant foreplay and flirting. Whilst the sex scenes are tame, they still possess intensity but the lack of penetrative sex actually feels like this book is forever edging the reader, teasing them to demand more. I found the moment Connor lets Austin finally 'have him' to be such significant timing. There is an investigation running throughout the story which provides engaging context and kept the story moving; it was very clever and as a reader I definitely felt one step behind all the time; keeping me thinking and on my toes. Although this has a 'Mafia' theme, it seemed to take a different stance to the norm. It ends as a definite HFN but you get a very strong feeling a HEA will surely follow. I loved the book and have to rate it 5 stars.
February 28, 2023
Going into this book, I saw that it had quite a mix in reviews. Honestly, I personally love finding new authors, especially ones who are just starting out.
Did it have a few faults? Sure, but you can tell that Lola Malone has great potential to be an amazing author. The idea behind The Undeniable series is really unique, and the world building and characters are very intriguing. I've read A LOT of books and have never come across the concepts that are used in this book.
Three different "families," one taking out members of the other two, causing them to work together to stop the one. Sign me up! Throw in the fact that the two men who have to work together have past history and a common attraction. Double sign me up!!
Do I wish that the two main characters had more history and chances to connect? Yes. I love falling in love with characters one book at a time, and that lacked a little here. It also got a little confusing at times, jumping between action scenes and needed a little more smoothing out, but none of that hindered the fact that I was still really into the storyline.
I'll definitely be continuing the series to see what happens next!
Did it have a few faults? Sure, but you can tell that Lola Malone has great potential to be an amazing author. The idea behind The Undeniable series is really unique, and the world building and characters are very intriguing. I've read A LOT of books and have never come across the concepts that are used in this book.
Three different "families," one taking out members of the other two, causing them to work together to stop the one. Sign me up! Throw in the fact that the two men who have to work together have past history and a common attraction. Double sign me up!!
Do I wish that the two main characters had more history and chances to connect? Yes. I love falling in love with characters one book at a time, and that lacked a little here. It also got a little confusing at times, jumping between action scenes and needed a little more smoothing out, but none of that hindered the fact that I was still really into the storyline.
I'll definitely be continuing the series to see what happens next!
April 17, 2023
Connor had a crush on Austin during his college years and in the last weeks before graduation Austin finds a video of Connor jerking off to his picture and tries to confront him but they start some mutual jerking-off relationship and eventually graduate. Connor thinks he will not be meeting Austin again but six months later their families meet and then they get to know they are rivals and they go on a mission together to catch a murderer.
Austin is cocky and confident while Connor is shy and smart and has his moments where he can be badass. Austin with his dirty mouth and how he starts to have feelings for Connor was so well written. They both were such fun-loving characters Lola has written the story so well as also how the mafia story goes I am excited to read more about how the story moves forward.
Excited to start Book 3.
Austin is cocky and confident while Connor is shy and smart and has his moments where he can be badass. Austin with his dirty mouth and how he starts to have feelings for Connor was so well written. They both were such fun-loving characters Lola has written the story so well as also how the mafia story goes I am excited to read more about how the story moves forward.
Excited to start Book 3.
August 15, 2025
3⭐️
I usually really enjoy Lola Malone’s books, but this one just didn’t hit the same for me. Connor and Austin had all the makings for a juicy romance; Austin being Connor’s secret college crush, then the big reveal that they’re heirs to rival mafia families. Throw in an odd cult they’re tasked with stopping, and it sounds like a recipe for tension and sparks. But instead of a tense will-they-won’t-they, their romance lacked the slow burn or depth I was hoping for. The character growth just wasn’t there, and overall, the story fell a bit flat. Not a bad read, but not my favorite from this author.
I usually really enjoy Lola Malone’s books, but this one just didn’t hit the same for me. Connor and Austin had all the makings for a juicy romance; Austin being Connor’s secret college crush, then the big reveal that they’re heirs to rival mafia families. Throw in an odd cult they’re tasked with stopping, and it sounds like a recipe for tension and sparks. But instead of a tense will-they-won’t-they, their romance lacked the slow burn or depth I was hoping for. The character growth just wasn’t there, and overall, the story fell a bit flat. Not a bad read, but not my favorite from this author.
February 25, 2023
Bully romance
I remember enjoying reading this book the first time and now in my second turn, I was still surprised by the twists and turns this book takes! This does start out as a bully romance where Austin definitely bullies Connor however it's the he's mine no one touches situation. I throughly enjoyed reading this book a second time and cannot wait to move on to the third book in the series.
I remember enjoying reading this book the first time and now in my second turn, I was still surprised by the twists and turns this book takes! This does start out as a bully romance where Austin definitely bullies Connor however it's the he's mine no one touches situation. I throughly enjoyed reading this book a second time and cannot wait to move on to the third book in the series.
January 4, 2023
This was my first book by this author, and I was pleasantly surprised. I received it as an ARC. I loved the tension and angst between Connor and Austin. The chemistry between them was wild. I enjoyed their story and learning about their relationship. I don't really read many mafia romances, so this was new for me. I enjoyed delving more into this genre. This was a different world and it was a type of world building than I was used to. There was alot of tension with in the story. I spent alot of the story nervous and scared to read what happened next. The ending surprised me completely. These made the book great for me. So I recommend it. It was exciting. I also reccomend to check your trigger warnings as well.
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