Callum MacAlister has spent the last four years living outside the only world he’s ever known. Now, he’s back in Forest Falls and trying his hardest to stay off the radar of his overbearing Father, who happens to be the leader of the MacAlister Mafia. Everything is going according to plan until his youngest brother sends him a text that sets a whirlwind of chaos into motion.
Rosalind White is running for her life…again. This time, she’s running away from her Family and straight into the arms of the MacAlisters, a bloodthirsty and brutal Mafia Family who blame her for the loss of one of their own. She doesn’t plan to be with them for long, though. Rosalind is going to get out of Forest Falls by any means necessary.
Even if it means sacrificing the only man she ever loved...
💀Enemies to Lovers 💀 Second Chance 💀 Touch Her & Be Unalived 💀 Mafia fam 💀 Strong FMC 💀 TW/CW
This is S Manship’s first dark romance novel & it did NOT disappoint! The spice was spicing and the plot was plotting. The banter and sarcasm between Callum & Rosalind was great! I absolutely loved Callum & Rosalind’s inner monologues as well!
Check the TW/CW as this book does have dark elements!!
Disclosure: I edited this book. The following review is a summary of my first reader thoughts as I read through her manuscript before turning on the editing side of my brain:
This is perhaps my favorite book of Suzanna's! It was so interesting to see Suzanna's TikToks as she was writing then finally reading the book to see how all those moments manifested in the book. Especially since she was concerned about it not being dark enough to be classified as a dark romance. But I can assure you, it's a dark romance. But a little more on the same vibe level as Butcher & Blackbird because it's dark but there are so many funny moments throughout the book. And there are even traditional Suzanna moments - like I literally cried so many tears at the
Features: - first love, second chance - romance between rival mafia members - hate banging - possessive MMC - when he *makes* her wear his clothes microtrope - when he wipes the tears from her face microtrope
Content warnings: - loss of an infant - grief - branding - sexual assault - sex trafficking (happened prior to the events of Callum, only mentioned in the book) * Suzanna wrote a content warning page that will explain everything you need to know prior to reading the book. Definitely check that out before you start reading!
The way this book is set up is amazing. I personally haven't read a book that had a glossary of characters and locations. This was so important to setting up the book and the background of their world. I absolutely loved it and found myself referencing it a few times.
Callum and Rosalind have a tainted past. When Callum thought that his future only held Rosalind in it, she chose the only family that she ever knew over him. Fast forward four years and Rosalind is running for her life and ends up on Callum's doorstep. With tensions running high between their Mafia families, they can't seem to stay away from each other.
Rosalind's sassiness and IDGAF attitude hooked me from the start. Then there's Callum, the possessive MMC who will literally unalive a man for touching her - well maybe just cut off his hands (haha).
Tropes / What to expect Second chance Mafia world First in a series (interconnected stand alones from what I gather) Badass FMC Possessive MMC Alpha Dark romance Knife/blood play Branding
This is a dark mafia romance with some very funny (in a morbid way) parts. I may be numb to the darker side of things but as always, check the trigger warnings before leaping into this one. The books has a rather lengthy list.
This was such a fun and spicy second chance Mafia dark romance. Never have I ever read a book with a glossary of characters, but I appreciated it because things get slightly complicated in the who's who aspect. Regardless, I laughed so much at the banter between the MMC - a doctor, also a Mafia dude, and the FMC, a smart mouthed/snarky woman on the run. The spice was wonderful, he calls her "Kitten" (swoon) and you get Mr. and Mrs. Smith vibes. I can't wait for some more from this Mafia family.
This is a good book, but I feel like it's a bit all over. The plot is really good, but I'm left with so many unanswered questions, but I guess they'll get answers from the next book.
I enjoyed this book a lot. The spice is definitely on point and would give that a 4.5. I felt like I had to keep going back in the book to check things I thought I missed so there was a lot of unanswered questions that hopefully will be answered in coming books and it felt like this book ended abruptly with no epilogue. I look forward to future books in the series.
I hear it has similar vibes to others out there, which is probably true, but I wouldn’t know. I left this genre a while ago, yet this is Suzanna, so of course I’m going to come slinking in, keeping myself in the back corner so no one engages with me and realises I’m not one of them anymore. My sunglasses are huge to hide me from your shade.
It’s definitely a dark romance, so I’d heed the content/trigger warnings to be kind to yourself if you have things that you can’t/don’t read due to personal matters, but it’s also ~H I L A R I O U S~. Yes, there are very heavy moments and the material is bleak and full of malicious good-good, but the levity of their humour and “make the best of what you’re given/your circumstances” attitudes makes everything else easier to handle.
The mechanics were pristine as always, and I enjoyed it. It was exactly what I was expecting—no less than the best, as usual—but not at all what I thought it would be, which confuses me as much as it does you so I will not be taking questions.
I will, however, try to explain what’s in my brain. Good luck and godspeed?
I know it’s just a 🤡me🤡 issue, but it definitely needed something. I don’t even know what the something is, because it was great, but there’s something that I’m not getting. I felt like I was on the back foot and had a mild case of confusion buzzing in my brain as I read through.
I feel like I missed a prequel? Or another book came before this one? Like, I felt like I should already know the characters and have formed a connection with them. I felt like I should already just know the setting and the circumstances. I felt like I should’ve already been aware of things. All of the things.
I don’t know why, but that’s (also) why I said this is a 🤡me🤡 thing. I’ve been out of the dark MF romance game for a while now, and I’m fairly certain that that’s most of my problem. I think this book is written in the same style as a lot of books that have come out since I exited stage left and haven’t been back, and I just don’t get it.
If you’re a dark romance fan, you’ll be here for this book. If you’re not, but you’re dipping your toes in, it’s for sure going to make you want more. It’s insanely good, and full of moments that balance the darkness with Suzanna’s unique brand of hilarity.
Oh, and the spice? Very nice. 10/10 on the spice. ✨s m u t✨ is in, bb.
5/5. Because it’s flawless, but I’m just too dumb and needy to be cool enough to get what’s up. Enjoy!
**[I did a little beta reading for and received an ARC of this book from the author. All opinions are my own.]**
Suzanna has blown me away. It was just months ago I was reading one of my favorite sports romances, and now I am reading her dark mafia romance. I am so proud of her of a mafia date romance lover she did so well. She is set up this world so much. All I want to do is dive further into it. Callum and Rosalind, well, what a toxic pair which I just love.lol I live for a second chance romance and add in violence even better. There is so much hate it was love. This was so much world building and then so hot, hot scenes dang. My dark mafia romance heart is swooning. Suzanna, the writing world is not ready for you
I don't know what it is about the way S. Manship writes characters but they are so goddamn loveable?
Like they're committing crimes and torturing people and I'm sitting over here with heart eyes.
I did not predict some of the plot twists that happened and I'm usually pretty good at that. Love when a story can keep me guessing, and that ending...oh man that ending.
If you're into mafia romance, dark romance, second-chance romance, this is gonna hit all your buzzers. Definitely recommend!
Ugh I am obsessed with anything Manship writes and her first dark romance definitely didn’t disappoint! I am obsessed with Callum and Rosalind and that whiskey scene had me 🤪🤪🤪 the spice was immaculate and the story was so perfect. I will say that although this story was hilarious at times and had me cackling there are some heavy topics discussed so please check trigger warnings! 5/5 I cannot recommend this enough and I can’t wait to see where the series goes
LOVED IT. The writing is so good, the storyline is excellent and leaves enough of the plot open to a series development that will flow nicely! The fiery attitude with the MCs was great, I found myself giggling multiple times while reading. And their own storyline was just about the two of them was great excellent - I got all the emotions in different parts of the book. This was my first book by this author and I have to say it will not be my last ❤️
Dark dark dark is all I can say, and I loved every minute of it. This FMC held her own against the MMC in this book and it was amazing. They are not even morally grey, they are morally black in every way. And the spice was *chefs kiss*. Check the tws but if you are not put off with them in the slightest then you will devour this book!
Well, we started with a bang, and well, it ended with such a heartwarming moment. This was a great mafia read with multiple layers to it. Phenomenal spice between Callum and Rosalind. Their spice is fierce and smoking hot! My heart is full. I am so happy to call this my first 5 star read of 2024!
This book - amazing. It's dark and dirty, with a wicked sense of humor. I've read it twice already. I can't wait for the storyline to continue. I have two favorite quotes: Chapter 2: "Good Girls don't hold their screams Kitten, Let me hear you" Yes please... Chapter 12: "Have you found use for the kitchen condoms yet?" Theo is the real main character here :)
Callum and Rosalind are everything😮💨🖤 I loved their “i hate you but i love you” vibes, Rosalind is a bada** and I loved her character. I am happy they got the ending they deserve! Love to see where this series goes!
It has been a while since a book sucked me in like this one did. S. Manship didn’t come to play with her first dark romance as she got the darker spice going on in the first chapter! Suprise! Please protect your mental health and check the trigger warnings before you start this AMAZING STORY
Oh my love for Callum. My sneaky little psychopath! His love for Rosalind might seem a little rough around the edges but once it hits, it hits. I absolutely adored this book and find myself needing more of Forest Falls! I can’t wait to see the rest of the brothers in their own books! 🖤
Ohhh this book kept me on edge. The way the author brought out the characters sent me I felt I was watching a movie. Must read if you’re getting into the mafia stuff!!