Nemesis: A Black Fates Novel

Black Fates #1

by Christine Roi

Lilith Caccia is a woman who knows how to get things done. As a mafia fixer with a unique skill set, she's known for her ability to make her kills look natural. When two women disappear from her sister's business, Lilith takes on the challenge of finding them. But what starts as a case of missing women quickly turns into something more sinister. Each woman was lured into using a secret dating app for the wealthy, Eros. To get to the bottom of the app's user base without violating their privacy contract, Lilith agrees to attend Eros events with the handsome and charismatic owner, Benjamin Camden, who seems to have something to hide. However, Lilith's growing feelings for him could endanger her mission and her heart. As she delves deeper into the case, Lilith finds herself fighting several battles at once with powerful and corrupt groups of individuals who will stop at nothing to maintain their grip on the city's underworld and challenge the Caccia family's authority. In Lilith's pursuit of the truth, she must confront her dark past and make choices that will come at a cost not only to her, but the people she loves. In "Nemesis," author Christine Roi delivers a suspenseful ride with sexy twists and surprising turns. With complex characters, sinister secrets, and heart-pounding action, this book will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

Genres: Dark Romance, Forced Proximity, Mafia Romance, Dark

324 pages, Paperback

Published June 30, 2023

About the author

Christine Roi writes romance for readers who like their MMCs soft on the inside, their small towns nosy, and their happily-ever-afters hard-won.

A full-time author since 2023, she traded her day job for a life of morally gray characters, slow burns, and questionable decisions on the page. Her books span mafia romance, small-town cowboy romance, and gothic romance. She is the author of the Black Fates mafia romance series, including Nemesis, Sworn in Blood, and Buried in Embers, as well as the small-town cowboy romance Only the Good.

Her newest release, Beaufort Manor, is a dark, atmospheric gothic romance arriving as part of the Nocturne Archive anthology series.

Christine lives in Colorado. She runs on Diet Coke, croissants, and delusion. Find her on socials at @authorchristineroi, where she shares book news, obsessions, and her main character journey.

Reviews

[Kristin Travis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is fake dating done right! Lilith is so refreshing as a MC. I felt like I was reading about one of my friends, albeit one with a penchant for poisons. Benjamin gave me all the feels and this book had me guessing till the very end. I enjoyed all the twists and turns, and Roi’s writing kept me engaged through it all. So glad I can start book two immediately!

[Kay Barber · Rating 5 out of 5]

In constant suspense

I love this book and I can not wait for the next. I love Kaia and Lilith, they are so badass! I have a million theories going through my head. I felt constantly in the moment with them and couldn’t put it down and read it in one day. Highly recommended. Mafia but even more bad Ass. Slow slow burn and a little spicy. Highly recommend this book!!

[neus.dreamybooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a rollercoaster!! I just finished it and wow. This is much more than a romance story, because we have the history of the Caccia family, the mystery of the missing girls and all the killing that does Lilith, the badass FMC.

Don't worry about the cliffhanger, the next book in the series is about to be out.

[Tamara Ellen McCaffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I absolutely loved this book! So much happens and there are so many plot twists. I can’t lie I dod not see that ending coming. I had my suspicions of some people but not him - it seems obvious now though. I’m excited to see what happens next.

[mary gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smart and sexy

I like the vulnerability of Lil even though she's bad ass. It's a cliffhanger, I'm looking forward to the next one!

[CherylB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must Read! Anxiously Awaiting Book 2

Ms. Roi weaves a masterful tale of love, loyalty, intrigue, death, honor and sensuality wrapped in an observant and dark comedy.

Kaia and Lilith take the mantle of Girl Boss and Right Hand person to soaring heights as the dynamic duo deftly leading the Caccia Family.

The twists and turns Ms. Roi takes you on as you follow Lilith’s journey to unlock the mysterious connection between an exclusive dating app, Eros, and her missing friends will keep you on your toes. The cliffhanger will leave you clamoring for more.

[Forevabooknerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was the first from this author. It took a little while to get into the book but once i got just before half way I couldn’t put it down. The story had u hooked and everything that happen had me on the edge of my seat! The ending I was not expecting. When is book 2 coming!

[Jessica Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

parts are unbelievable

So she’s a baddie mafia fixer who has amazing situational awareness but just ignores all the red flags on this guy and literally every family member warning her about this one person? Make it make sense

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

🌶🌶🌶

⚠️This review contains spoilers!!⚠️

I loved this book! It caught my interest from the very beginning and kept it throughout the whole book! I loved the family dynamics between Lili, Kaia, and Daniel!!

I found the mafia dynamic and the murder mystery-type side plot to be super interesting!! And this was a rare instance where I care more about the plot than the romance in a book that has any type of romance in it!! And the main reason for that is I hated Benjamin from the beginning... He gave me creepy vibes and I just didn't like reading about him (I have lots of annotations in the ebook about hating him) But I actually enjoyed having someone to hate so it wasn't a bad thing at all haha

I do love West, though, and can't wait to see how his and Lili's relationship/dynamic changes and progress in the next book!!


Quotes I loved:

My plan to create an apothecary from hell came with a lot of tools and expensive equipment.

Nonno, of course, gave it to him with a steep interest rate. Also, the threat of death if he didn’t pay it back. You know, mafia stuff.

Actually, I wasn’t religious about anything. But when you kill people for a living, you tend to hope there won’t be someone to judge you when you die.

Those men eventually all got dealt with, now six feet under, and we ended up with a much smaller crew. Small batch, artisanal crime.

“Killing a man with a gun is easy. Any neanderthal can do it. Taking life with a blade is art.”

[The Book Hangover · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this different take on a mafia story with a female boss and her sister fixer. It is a dark romance with a storyline that just kept me guessing the whole way through. There are so many twists and turns and one hell of a cliffhanger. I just love the characters especially Lilith and how she is portrayed as a strong but she still comes across as human and not a complete b!tch. It is a slow burn but once the spice kicks in it is steamy. I really enjoyed the storyline progression and am looking forward to the next book in the series. This is a dark romance so please check your TW before reading.

[M.E. Allquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

excuse me?! now I have to read the second one immediately!

I have to admit I don’t normally read mafia based books. But omg. I gave this a shot and it blew my expectations out of the water. I was hooked from the first page, and didn’t feel like I could relax the entire time. I didn’t have a great vibe about you know who, but I wasn’t expecting THAT. On to the next one, because I can’t possibly go a minute without finding out what happens next.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

It starts off slow but as the story progresses things start to heat up and finishes with one hell of an ending. One of the best mafia books I’ve read, it has everything from a strong female character to a mystery that leaves you guessing until the end. Can’t wait to read the next one.

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. This being not only in 1st person but also one POV was a change from the last few books I've read (two POV's or third person). Following Lilith was like being with Scarpetta (Patricia Cornwell) except Lili is a killer and has descriptive spicy scenes.
And then the cliffhanger....OMG

[Brittany Schmur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I saw the plot twist coming, there was still a part of me that thought I was wrong. I wasn’t entirely sure how the storyline was going to play out and I was equally as pleased and disappointed when the suspected twist came true.

I can’t wait to read the next books and continue the story!

[Brittany Weems · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I'm coming back to do my review after reading the whole series because I truly do not know how more people have not read these books. This series is such a fresh take on a mafia romance. And the writing...chef's kiss.

Take aways:
10/10 plot
Romance - I really want to say something here but I'm trying to do this review spoiler free. JUST KNOW ITS GOOD
ALLLLL THE FEELS. Like you will absolutely cry at some points

Just read the whole dang series. You won't regret it.

[CJ Greiser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rollercoaster!

Loved this book! Started off a little slow but it picked up! It was a rollercoaster and I absolutely loved the characters!

[Tya Teller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finnally something diffetent, and i loved it so damn much... Lili is perfect FMC and all the plot was the best

[Jultz Ceraz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok um 😶

⭐️⭐️

[Keira Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable, looking forward to reading the next in series

[Rosey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nemesis: A Black Fates Novel is Christine Roi’s debut novel. And boy did she hit it out of the park!

If you love spice, a strong mafia family, and an even stronger heroine, then Nemesis by Christine Roi is for you! I loved the dynamics of the Caccia Family and their mafia fixer, Lilith Caccia. She’s loyal to the ones she loves, seeks vengeance for those wronged, and protects her vulnerable heart with a sarcastic and prickly veneer. We see the change and softening of her facade the more time she spends with Benjamin Camden. I was not prepared for the twists and was at the edge of my seat in the last chapters - I could not read fast enough!

I am hooked and am counting down the days until Miss Roi graces us with book two and the continuation of Lilith’s story!