Diablo

Unexpected #7

by Cora Rose

After my honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, it only made sense to put my skills to good use as a personal bodyguard. The contracts keep me moving and traveling, and the money is good. All I’ve ever wanted was to make sure my mother and sister were taken care of after my father passed away. So when Anthony Costello, the notorious mob boss and my dad’s ex-employer, asked me to take on a special job for his family, I couldn’t say no.
But not even my six-year stint as an elite Marine could have prepared me for the hellscape that is being trapped in a secluded safe house with his son. Diablo Costello is a rude little chaos gremlin that lives to push all my buttons. I can’t keep him safe if he’s determined to fight me every step of the way. But I can see through the bratty facade. I know what Diablo needs. What he longs for. And God help me, I’m going to give it to him.

This book is a little different than my other books due to the characters involved. Please check the content warning in the beginning of the book!

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, Forced Proximity, LGBT, Enemies To Lovers, BDSM

238 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 28, 2023

About the author

Cora Rose loves any kind of romance and consumes way too many books each year. She currently lives in the U.S. and spends her days daydreaming about the characters inside her head.

You can email her at CoraRoseRomance@gmail.com or visit her website at www.coraroseromance.com

Reviews

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diablo did something to protect his twin brother Angelo, which has had some consequences. Someone is after him now for retribution.

I have an annoying habit of causing chaos and reaping the consequences. It’s just how I was made. Whereas Angel is the peacemaker, I revel in the mess, the conflict. I like to push people’s buttons. All of them. Simultaneously.

Diablo’s father (a famed mobster) sends Diablo away to keep him safe. If you read Lex, you know that Skylar is there for Diablo’s protection and he has been tasked with keeping Diablo alive.

I know that he’s just doing his job and that it’s my fault that I’m here, but I’m still bitter about it. Real fucking bitter. I’m a Brussels sprout.

Skylar is observant and knows what Diablo likes and wants. When Diablo finally starts to notice this, it melts his cold heart a little bit.

I don’t kiss. I’ve never kissed anyone before in my life, and yet I can’t stop myself this time. He got me my fucking saws. He knows me, he fucking cares.

This has a bit of an enemies-to-lovers vibe that I really enjoyed. Diablo is a massive brat and Skylar is the perfect man to tame him. A little bit anyways. LOL. Diablo is still crazy.

I am giggling now, like a little kid, but who knew Skylar could be funny. Shit, this makes me like him a little more. A lot more. This cannot be happening. I don’t like anyone. No one. I hate everyone. People. Ew.

Diablo will never admit it, but he needs me. He needs me to ground him and put him in his place.

When these two finally come together and have sex it’s explosive. They tear up the sheets.

It’s filthy and wrong and yet, everything about this is so fucking right. I’ve never been fucked like this. Never had someone treat me like this. Everyone has always been so afraid of me, of what my dad would do if he found out. Skylar gives zero fucks about any of it as he pounds into me.

Eventually, the people they are hiding from show up and Skylar saves Diablo in a major way, but Skylar gets injured in the process. Diablo doesn't take kindly to this and he takes his revenge on the person who hurt him.

“I don’t share. Certainly not your bratty ass.” Those words. “Does that mean I’m yours?” I ask, my words coming out in a wheeze. “Yeah. You’re. Fucking. Mine.”

TBH, this started kinda slow for me and I felt like I was missing something to pull me into the story more, but the last half and especially the last 30% or so was fantastic.

I loved seeing Diablo and his father interact toward the end and I loved seeing Skylar and Diablo start to open up to one another and give into their growing feelings. These two do not have a conventional relationship, but what they have works for them and I dig it.

I spanked him again yesterday for being a little shit, but he was asking for it by slashing my pillow with a knife. Apparently, I forgot to kiss him goodbye.

*** I received an ARC of this book from Indie Author Creative and this is my honest opinion. ***

[Drusilla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well ...
The book had a few nice moments, but overall it was nothing.
One of my favorite tropes - the bodyguard and the brat. This one is an OTT-brat and a not so impressive bodyguard … for me. 😬 I don’t like those characters, I’m sorry. They are way too much and annoying.
The writing is well done and the sex scenes are hot, just the usual Cora Rose style. BUT: condoms, safety talk …? tearing …! 😡😡😡
And then there is no plot, no development, I don’t see anything. The brattiness gets boring pretty quick. The bodyguard is too mellow and without depth.
Also the background to Diablo, why is he the way he is, could have been a bit more detailed. It only scratches the surface. And what is Skylar's problem...?
I thought I'd give Cora another chance after loving her first books and I'm still remembering Emery fondly, but I guess I'd better leave it alone. It's always the same old thing - boring and lacking.

[Dani · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked this to a point but it was just too shallow for me.

We don't really get to know anything about Skylar. He goes from being adamant nothing will happen between him and Diablo to then embarking on a physical relationship - there was no real reasoning for the switch in thinking?

I enjoyed how bratty Diablo was to begin, but it got repetitive very quickly and went on too long before anything started to change. Again all we find out is he likes to use his saws and play his game, but we already knew that much from previous books. Is he truly a psychopath or just a socially awkward fan of dismemberment?

Really I just would have liked to get to know the characters better. Why do I care if they're together when I know nothing about either of them individually?

Also the whole 'bad guy' situation didn't feel believable at all, and resolved so quickly. If Diablo was capable of what he did, why did he ever need the bodyguard or safe houses? It just didn't make much sense to me.

This series is definitely hit and miss.

[Renae Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diablo is one heck of a wild ride. This story has the reliable quirkiness and offbeat characters that this author is known for while giving you something a little bit different in tone and subject matter. I really loved the dynamic between bratty Diablo and his stern bodyguard Skyler. They have one unquestionable bond where their limits are put to the test while stuck in hiding together.

I loved how well the brattiness of Diablo's character came through in this story. He is one touch-starved character who is in desperate need of discipline, making Skyler the perfect disciplinarian who is struggling to maintain his boundaries with this incredibly difficult and stubborn charge.

Their relationship is complicated, but I fully understood why both needed each other so desperately. I also loved the forced proximity between these two as they are forced to cohabitate, which creates many hilarious and steamy moments between the two.

Overall Diablo is another wonderfully entertaining entry in this series that never fails to surprise.

*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***

[Jan]

DNF 35%

[haletostilinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐︎ 3.5 Stars Rounded Up ⭐︎

I was a little bit unsure how to rate this, but eventually settled on 3.5 stars.

I was excited for this, and it didn't quite live up to what I'd hoped it was going to be.

Diablo is...a lot to take. Especially the first half of this book. He was relentless in his brattiness and never really let up except for a few moments here or there. He was determined to be as annoying as possible.

And I get it to an extent. He didn't get much attention from his father his whole life - mother dead awhile ago, it seems like - and with Diablo's personality, not getting the love and attention he needs leads to how he is now. I get all that.

Doesn't make him any less annoying. Especially when he never changes it, not really. He is who is he is...and that's a fucking annoying shithead, really.

It did bring my enjoyment of this down considerably. I thought, or was hoping, that eventually he'd...let up a little. That he'd eventually have his bratty moments, but be more real and vulnerable with Skylar.

Which, in his way, he kinda did near the end. The reason I'm rounding up instead of down with this is because while he didn't let up the brattiness, he did soften up some with Skylar. Not as much as I would have liked, and he kept up the front that Skylar always saw past and that he knew Skylar saw past, so I didn't really get why he kept at it when it was just them alone, but still, he did show vulnerability at times. And softened in at least some way. It became like his "I hate you's" were actually "I love you's" that he couldn't say.

I do wish we had gotten there. We kinda do. Skylar says it at the end, and we know Diablo feels the same, but he doesn't say it. I guess when he can't even say it to his brother, Angelo (aka Angel), who he's closest to outside of Skyler, it makes sense he doesn't say it. But...I would have liked Skyler to be the exception to him being unable to say it *sigh* oh well.

Now, to me it also gets points off because I don't think there was enough build up to get to the "I love you" stage, but I at least was feeling something between these two by the end.

This book actually took a long while to get them past the beginning stages, and then we don't get much once they're past those beginning stages. I would have wanted less of the beginning stages and more of them really getting into their romance.

I really enjoyed Skylar as a character, though, so this gets points for that. I also didn't quite feel that much chemistry at first between these two - some, but not a ton - until around 68% when they have penetrative sex for the first time. It was...really fucking hot. And they made kissing an art form. In that way, the build up was worth it. I guess this could have just been a little longer, to see them really getting to that "I love you" stage.

The "threat" didn't really feel like a threat either. In this, Skylar is having to take Diablo from safe house to safe house that his mobster father owns because this guy called Elio, who took advantage of his brother Angel and who Diablo retaliated against through hacking, as no one hurts his sweet brother Angel and gets away with it.

Only, now the guy is after him. And we don't get any type of threat from the guy until the climax. It's just these two, in a house after house, and their antics together, and then a random new bodyguard Casey out of the blue (who I suspect might be the LI for Angel if he gets a book? I bet he is. But that's really the only reason he's there. Doesn't make much sense otherwise.) until all the sudden he's a problem.

It more like the Elio threat was just a way to get these two alone for an extended period of time than any actual legitimate part of the plot. So that plot point felt weak and underutilized. And with how many times Diablo escaped/almost escaped/tried to escape the little houses he was confined to, like maybe he could have almost got killed by Elio being close on their tale and then they get away to another safe house after that.

It would also teach Diablo the lesson to actually listen to Skylar and he wasn't just doing it for funsies.

Instead he learns that lesson too late at the climax. Thankfully it all turns out okay. But Diablo was so annoyingly careless with his and Skylar's life just to be obstinate and I wanted him to reap a bit of what he sowed.

Also, while the sex was absolutely hot, heed that this is dub-con. While Diablo absolutely wants it and it's part of his character to pretend he doesn't care about anything, ever, in his life, he and Skylar never discuss the consent.

And he acts like he doesn't want it, and Skylar goes ahead and fucks him anyway. Which, yeah, he does truly consent behind the lies he insists on, but there's no verbal confirmation of it, which is where the dub-con comes in.

And there's a particular scene near the end where if it was anyone but Diablo, and it wasn't an established part of their dynamic, it would just be straight up non-con. I know with who these characters are, that they aren't actually good people (especially Diablo. But Skylar is willingly working for a gangster, so....he's more in the gray area as well) and they aren't exactly educated in informed consent.

Which is fine, but if you're someone who needs clear consent/enthusiastic consent in your romance books, this might not be the one for you.

As it is, it is really hot, and going into this knowing the consent isn't discussed at all, I can just enjoy it for what it is.

So overall, this could have been improved. And honestly, if the last third of this hadn't been so enjoyable, I probably would have just given this 3 stars. That was what it was shaping up to be, honestly.

Enjoyable at times at first, but nothing to write home about. The first half especially is a bit of a slog to get through. Not only because not much is happening, but not much is happening on top of Diablo being fairly insufferable a lot of the time. It was fine at first, but got old real fast.

But, the last third of the book really came through. The chemistry was on point, the fucked up way they connected, was good. The thing that gets Diablo to bend slightly is...it's fucked up, but works for them. It's so Diablo and Skylar, which you'll get if you read this.

And again, while Diablo didn't soften as much as I wanted, wasn't as vulnerable and real with Skylar as I wanted, he did soften somewhat, which did wonders for lessening my annoyance with him.

So overall, this was enjoyable. Worth a read. Definitely not the strongest in this series, and disappointing in some ways. But it comes through in the end, especially that last third of the book.

I wonder who the next book will be about. Hopefully Angel. He seems so sweet, I want a man (potentially Casey?) to worship him as he deserves.

Can't wait! 😍🥰😘

My Ratings for the Unexpected series:

✨ Whit: 4.25 stars (my review)
✨ Sem: 4.25 stars (my review)
✨ Emery: 4.5 stars (my review)
✨ Luke: 3.25 stars (my review)
✨ Lex: 4.5 stars (my review)
✨ Colin: 4 stars (my review)
✨ Diablo: 3.5 stars

[Sheena · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5 stars

I usually love Cora Rose’s books. I know what to expect from them which is OTT characters. It just didn’t feel like a Cora book to me. I didn’t particularly enjoy the characters at all. Diablo was so fucking annoying sometimes. I swear to god sometimes I wished Skylar would take a saw from Diablo’s collection and kill him with it. Diablo needed to get a fucking grip. He constantly wonders why no one likes him and it’s being he’s annoying as fuck.

[Dani (Daniiireads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️, rounded up to 4

- age gap (30/19)
- body guard
- size difference
- forced proximity
- noncon/dubcon
- rope play

Much like Lex, I always enjoyed seeing Diablo pop up throughout the series, but I’m not quite sure how I feel about him as a main.

He’s a giant brat, probs the brattiest character I’ve ever read, and fought Skylar every chance he got. I wasn’t sure I was going to like him to be honest, and was annoyed by him instead of endeared for like 60% of the book. Every childish outburst was a cry for attention, and even though I get why *insert daddy issues here*, I wanted to strangle him 🤣

Buuuuuttttt when we finally got to see the realness and vulnerability behind Diablo’s abrasive and OTT facade, he ended up winning me over. Although, I think out of the two, Skylar is my favorite with his eternal patience, intensity, and major Dom vibes. He really had Diablo’s best interests in mind, even when the kid was being a chaotic mess for funsies. Plus, outside of Angel, he’s the only one to give him the love and affection he deserved.

Diablo is definitely not what I expected, and not like the other books in the series. It is a bit darker and kinkier than the others, but Cora never disappoints no matter what direction she does in. When it comes to steaminess, this one does have fewer sex scenes than previous books in the series and seemed to focus more on their dynamic (which I didn’t mind at all).

Overall, when I wasn’t wanting to strangle Diablo, I really loved his character and his relationship with Skylar.

[⋆｡°✮ Lucy InTheSky ✮°｡⋆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Re-read on 10th May/25

I'll say I did like this book much better the second time around. I'll give it 3.75⭐ and I'd almost round it up, but what got me was almost no relationship development from the conflict that happened in that shed where Skylar was shot, forward.

From that point on Skylar and Diablo were suddenly a done deal.
The build-up was going so well, they were getting closer and closer and what I think should've happened was Skylar going back home and then after the separation them realizing how much they mean to each other and making it happen.

"Before I leave my room, I glance back at Diablo who is gazing at me with a dreamy look in his eyes. Yeah. He can’t fucking hide that either.
“Don’t say a word or I will cut out your tongue.”
The organ in question slips from my mouth and wets my lips. “Oh, but you like my tongue.”
His cheeks turn a pretty pink and he throws the covers over his head to hide it from me. “Can’t hide, Diablo. Saw that blush.”
“Fuck you, motherfucker!” he squeaks, and a laugh slips from my lips as I trail out of the bedroom."

The ending was abrupt, everything happened too fast, not nearly enough was said about their relationship, so it was a bit sour for me, not really satisfying.

I'd also like to know more about Diablo's past, I think his destroying tendencies were just thrown around a little bit but the main issue wasn't addressed and that was that the guy is clearly traumatized and needs fucking therapy.
I was kind of hoping Skylar would drag him out of this life.

It is a much better and more interesting story than most in this series so far.
_____________________________________

Original review on 15th Aug/23

Rating : 3.5⭐

This is Diablo's book, the guy Lex usually works with, so we've met him already in his book.

Diablo is a 20 - year old small, feisty guy who has psychopathic tendencies and a murderous streak that doesn't get adressed as a problem, because his father is some kind of a mafia don and Diablo is very much like him, he can get away with murder - and he does.

🟢 Mafia boss' son / his bodyguard
🔵 Age gap 20/30
🟣 Size difference
🟡 Forced proximity
🟠 An unconvincing love story, no emotional depth developed, even though it's there somewhere
🟢 I don't like the cover
🌶️ Spice is good, but not that much of it; spanking, oral, penetrative; t/b

Diablo's bodyguard is Skylar, an ex-marine who's twice Diablo's size. Diablo is in danger for protecting his brother, so he has to go into hiding and Skylar is there to keep him alive.

Diablo is a spitfire little twink, who doesn't really feel wanted or attractive, he's socially awkward, but very dangerous, so when he's put together in a room with Skylar, who's taking care of Diablo's brattiness with spankings and gentle teaching of simple, mundane chores that Diablo was never taught, Diablo starts literally melting inside.

"I'm irredeemable. I know this. I've accepted it. I'm going to die alone. No one can stand me long enough to stick around."

Diablo still has his guard up for most of the story, but Skylar is so in tune with him, he knows exactly how to handle him, understands him and has a way for him to calm down and even express his feelings and desires.
In a way.
Kind of.

"He is a little shit, I wasn’t wrong about that. But in many ways he’s mine. And mine alone."



I did like Diablo and his inner monologues, they were funny and entertaining, I thought not enough was said about his life or him in this book. He goes from a feisty little monster to a real monster, he did have an awful upbringing and he was actually killing people, that came out as a big, big surprise.

The pairing with Skylar seemed like a really good idea, but Skylar got lost in the process, we really don't get to know Skylar, his POV isn't as good as Diablo's.
I also felt like Skylar was really crossing that professional line many times over with Diablo being that much younger and smaller and the only solution Skylar had was a sexual one.

The author gave him a more sensitive, gentle side to level this out later on, but I wasn't feeling it. I think Skylar should've been more held back, pausing anything between them until there was a substantial build-up there.

Them falling in love (did they even fall in love??) wasn't really felt. I get they have an unconventional relationship, but they went from one night together to Skylar being afraid Diablo wasn't interested anymore and then to them living together. It all happened too fast.

There's so much that could be said about Diablo coming out of his shell, opening up and really loving someone and Skylar loving him, but I somehow just don't feel they're a done deal, even though I really liked the idea of Diablo having this beefcake holding him and taking care of him.


I was really hoping for more. 😐

I am interested in Diablo's brother and father's story though, hopefully we'll get them.

[♡ cal ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

it's giving same old same old. my expectations were low for miss cora rose and said expectations were met so i can't out rightly say that i was disappointed. it was a quick easy read for me.

[Ash’s reading corner ✨🌈 · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC maybe

Tropes:
MM
Bodyguard x the bratty son of a mafia boss
Forced proximity
Spoiled brat
Age gap
Size difference
Spanking & bondage

[Jane aka Coughy019 (Safety info included) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tropes: age gap, bodyguard/client, forced proximity, brat
Feels: 3/5
Steam*: 4.5/5
Kinks: consensual nonconsent / dubcon, spanking, discipline
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content themes: some parents are dead, undernegotiated consensual nonconsent, no safeword discussion, unsafe sex, rough sex with bleeding, murder, violence, mental health issues, poor coping mechanisms

Reread May 16, 2024

Diablo is the 19-year-old son of a mobster. He is a gremlin of a character, a brat, violence, self-destructive. He's messed up because of the life he lives and how he was raised without affection, and his coping mechanisms are not healthy. From a young age he acted out and he's killed, he's dismembered people for his dad, and he's probably done a bunch of other things.

Skylar is 30. He's a former Marine. His father worked for Diablo's father until he died of cancer. Now Skylar works for Diablo's father and he is assigned to bodyguard Diablo after Diablo ticked off a dangerous guy named Elio to protect / avenge Diablo's more innocent twin brother Angel. They are in close proximity. Diablo regularly acts out and Skylar takes the approach of teaching and punishing him. But the punishments turn increasingly sexual as they get to know each other.

I'm a huge fan of Cora's books. They are a lot of fun for me. I enjoy the humor, and the wild chaos. Diablo was a fun character for me, I do love a gremlin of a character, a brat. But I will say I needed a little bit more from this book. Probably needed more because of the sensitive things brought up in this book, whereas other books of hers I've just been happy to go along for the ride, but for this one I needed a bit more of a guided journey. The dynamic that was growing between them was very promising. But I feel like I needed another like 100 pages to develop it more. It felt like their relationship went from sex to feelings too soon. They weren't really opening up to each other, then spoiler alert, Skylar got into a coma and when they woke up they just committed to a long-term relationship. I get that they were scared by the near death experience, but I needed more pages spent developing the relationship. It made me have a hard time believing that they actually had a happily ever after, it made it seem more like a happy for now. Also, this book was a lot darker than Cora's other books, what with all the murder LOL. And I did think that the non-consent stuff was done worse than it should have been done. I've read dubcon/consensual non-consent before and there are conversations that happen - where there are either safe words or even without safe words the dominant person makes it clear that the submissive person has power and agency, but that wasn't present here. Diablo wanted things, but conversations need to happen, otherwise it's too rapey. Also, Diablo seems to have mental health issues and needs some therapy so he can have healthier coping mechanisms, it feels like a gap that that wasn't addressed.

I still really enjoyed this book, it just wasn't perfect for me. I really liked the possessive and obsessive feelings they had. The steam was hot. There were some funny moments. The brattiness was entertaining. The bed sharing at the hospital was so sweet. I loved Diablo losing his s*** over Skylar being injured.

Some notable moments:

"I adjust my stance, my cock hardening in my pants. I’ve got to get my shit under control. If I do give him a spanking, it won’t be sexual. It will be a professional one. Totally one hundred percent professional. My dick won’t even twitch while doing it."

"I stumble into his room hours later, my skin covered in sawdust, my body completely relaxed. I feel like I’ve just come out from a long massage—not that I’ve ever really enjoyed those, but I can imagine that’s what people feel like. Euphoria. “You done?” Skylar asks as he sits up in bed, the sheet falling down his bare abdomen. I see the way those muscles flex and become more defined as he moves. Mouthwatering, really. I nod wordlessly and move toward him, crawling onto the bed and straddling his thighs. Without thinking twice about it, my hands slide through his hair and my lips descend onto his."


*FYI, I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink."

[BookSafety Reviews]

Book safety, content warnings, and tropes & tags down below.

“You never stick a fork in an electrical appliance.” He rolls his eyes at me, and I grab his wrist tighter, wrenching the fork from his hand. “I’m serious. Don’t do it.” I have a feeling Diablo now wants to do it just because I told him not to. I can see him in the middle of the night, sneaking over to the toaster to try it. Just to see if I’m right.

My first Cora Rose book, and I am definitely going back and reading more from this series. I gotta admit I found Diablo to be exhausting in the beginning, but when his facade started to crack and we could see the vulnerable boy underneath all the mouthing off, he just made me cry a little. And if it wasn’t sad, it was really hot, or made me laugh. Highly entertaining, and I would definitely recommend.

Diablo snorts so loudly he chokes, slapping his knee and turning purple. I debate pulling the car over to do the Heimlich and then decide to let him ride it out. He deserves to choke. The little shit.

Skylar grew on me more and more during the book as well, especially when he responded with tenderness instead of anger in the face of massive tantrums, lol. That’s a patient man right there. I am also a massive fan of size differences, so this one was *chefs kiss*

I have never in my life been touched like this. Tenderly, almost reverently. I hate it. Hate that I want it. Hate that when this is all over I have something to look back on and yearn for.

I haven’t read a lot of it, but I thought the dub-con and CNC was done really well here. It was hot instead of making me uncomfortable.

“Diablo! For fuck’s sake!”  My lips turn up as I realize that he’s found the cactus in his duffle. I pricked my hand a thousand times grabbing it and regret nothing. 

“Is that what this is now? Exclusivity?” “You want to share?” My stomach churns at the thought. “No. If you fucked someone else, I’d have to commit murder.”


Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Bodyguard, brat, size difference, age gap, forced proximity, BDSM lite, mobster son

⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Dubious consent
Consensual non-consent
Violence
Gunshot wound
Medical emergency
Dismemberment (few details, off-page)

⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM drama: No
Third-act breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Strict roles or versatile: Strict

I received a free copy of this book via Indie Author Creative and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[taylor :)]

dnf at 24%

I was getting pretty bored of this, so I stopped to read something else. Now that I am finished with the other book, I can’t make myself pick this one back up. Diablo and Skylar both got on my nerves. This book kinda reminded me of that book Sainted, and I dnf’d that one, too. I will return to this series when Miss Rose writes Ben. See you soon xoxoxo

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been dying to find out what was going on with Diablo since Lex and finally got to see what was up. After pissing off someone he shouldn't to protect his twin brother, he's bouncing from safe house to safe house with Skylar, his bodyguard. Diablo is a little brat, and the more time they spend together, the more buttons Diablo pushes until Skylar has the teach him a lesson(s)! Things heat up and walls come down as these two navigate new feelings while trying to stay alive. Diablo is crazy, unhinged, and sweet in his own way. I really enjoyed this story and loved the ending. Looking forward to seeing more from the Unexpected series!

The audiobook brought the story to the next level! Loved it!

[Book Binge: Reviews by Melissa DaSilva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t so sure how I would feel about this book. We’ve met Diablo in the past but only really in passing so I wasn’t overly excited waiting for his story but knew I would absolutely read it when it came out. I ended up absolutely loving it!!

Cora Rose has taken a different turn while writing this book and it’s really like nothing she has written before. This book takes a dive into the world of the mafia and of dub-con and CNC. I thought it was exceptionally well done and didn’t go too far at all. At no time did I think it was too close to the line of non-consent. If you are looking for a great book to ease into dub-con or CNC I would recommend this book.

Skylar and Diablo were actually really great together and they start as a bodyguard/employee relationship. Diablo is quite the brat and Skylar knows exactly what Diablo needs in his life…. Skylar! This book was great to start but around 50% it just shot off and I didn’t want to put it down. Their chemistry was fantastic, there was suspense to the storyline and you were rooting for them to get to their HEA!

I didn’t expect this book to be as emotional and sweet as it was. I felt a lot for Diablo and the reasons behind why he needs the things he does. I thought Diablo was perfect for him and did everything right. Like with other Cora Rose books there is some craziness that you should be prepared for (a little more bloody in this one though) but it completely fits these characters and their relationship.

I absolutely recommend this book (as well as the others in the series) and can’t wait to read whatever she comes out with next!

[Lore · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like it so bad! But this one is just not it for me.
Leave it to Cora Rose to always come up with one of a kind and original characters. I just wish there was more to it plot wise. I'm still struggling to get grip on Skylar as I'm not sure who he is apart from being Diablo's bodyguard.


I think I would've enjoyed it more if both characters showed a bit more of their inner world.


Tropes

Bodyguard x bad boy
Forced proximity
Dub con
Size difference

[A.E. Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

See, I have an addiction. And it has to do with Cora’s men. And I’m not even ashamed to admit it, but the crazier, the better.

I think I’ve mentioned this before, but if these men were real, there would be so many red flags. They’re stalkers, violent, they blow up stuff and hurt themselves in the process. They are needy, super clingy, irresponsible and often immature brats/brutes.

But on paper it just works! I think it has to do with the humor—it creates a distance—it’s hard to take things too seriously when you have permanent stomach cramps from laughing.

Do I endorse psychopathic behaviour such as cutting up people and/or corpses with electric knives? No. Was I entertained? Yes.

Was Diablo annoying, juvenile, over-the-top needy? Yes. Did I love him? Fuck yes! Would I date him? Not even if you put a gun to my head. I would however consider having him as a pet. He was kinda cute aside from his murderous escapades but I’ll just make sure to have rope and a wooden spoon close by when he acts up.

Skylar on the other hand! Good Lord, here comes another one. I hope that Sem & Luke can make room for him in our imaginary kingsize bed. What a dreamboat of a guy! Seriously! Patient. Kind. Dominant. Knows how to spank you and tie you up! Skylar is just my idea of a good time x 100 🫠🥵🤤

So, here we go:
Plot: 🧡🧡🧡🧡
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Swoon: 🫠🫠🫠
Angst: can you spell zero?

Bonus points: size difference, forced proximity & mild (very mild) dub con/non con (in a perfect world Cora would’ve gone all in on this kink but maybe next time - one can only hope! But it was still 🔥🔥)

*please check TWs provided by the author
*I rcvd an ARC from the author and this is my honest review

[Crisana]

DNF. This book was too annoying, even more than the ones at the beginning which I read and kind of enjoyed. Diablo was just too silly. And annoying. And a slob. Nope.

[melanatedbookjunkie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lack of character development

I really was hoping to love this story. A bodyguard and his client….heck yes! But I finished this book feeling very…..disappointed

Diablo was a too fucking much to take in. He was bratty but in a toddler having a tantrum sense. I’m not even kidding. I don’t even think a toddler goes to the extremes that Diablo went. Throwing and breaking dishing? Dropping food on the floor and walking past it? Kicking and hitting people unprovoked? Slashing pillows because someone forget to say goodbye? Like we get it..Diablo is a brat but this was wayyyyyyy too over the fucking top. I wanted somebody to just whoop his fucking ass one good time. I wasn’t able to connect with his character at all. He was underdeveloped. We still didn’t get a true sense of who he really is outside of being a goddamn menace. No growth in his character. He was extremely unlikable.

Skylar was decent. I felt his character was very…..safe, kind of lackluster. Fuck it! He was dry as hell and boring 🤣 I did like how he was the calm within Diablo’s storm but he was also underdeveloped. Not much personality. It was like watching paint dry with a couple of ass smacks thrown in. I wasn’t able to connect with his character either.

Honestly I have no idea what attracted these two together besides the forced proximity. Their chemistry was lacking immensely. Their relationship did not feel organic. Everything was very surface level. Hell not even surface level. Their dicks twitched a bit for the other and it equated to love? Diablo with the whole “what I really feel, is the opposite of what I say” was exhausting as hell.

I was a big fan of Cora Rose’s stories. Whit, Emery, and Sem are some of my favorite stories ever. I’ve read her entire catalog, but lately I’ve been disappointed in her writing. She brings us these over the top characters and lots of humor, but the actual development of the characters and creating believable love stories has been lacking lately. Even the humor is the same. The same old sarcasm is really getting old. The stories are beginning to feel the same.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

More accuratly like 3.5

KU Read
230 Pages
MM Romance
Forced Proximity
Size Difference
Age Gap
Mafia Family

Diablo is living up to his name and acts like a real brat for Sklyer, his assigned bodyguard who has to take Diablo on the run to different safe houses because he had put his father's enemy on blast as a pervert.
Of course, Diablo acts out, and Skyler, while having the patience of a saint, can still only take so much before he loses his $h!t with the tiny devil that he's been assigned to look after.
Diablo is unhinged, dude really needs to go to therapy and thank God he's fictional cos for the first time ever here is a Cora Rose guy I don't wanna be friends with cos he'd saw my hand off as soon as shake it... All while looking like butter wouldn't melt. I still enjoyed this book, it had a different feel which is great cos mixing up the vibes stops me getting bored with a series while still enjoying the interconnected aspect of books that could be read as stand-alones too.

[martina (the life of a chaotic reader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

did i hate this? no. did i love it? also no. do i know how i feel about this? definitely no.
i can say that this was definitely not what i was expecting. and that i would have liked a book about angelo way more.

diablo is definitely a lot. while i got why he acted that way, i would have liked it if he tone it down a little by the end.
i definitely liked his relationship with skylar (that man deserves a place in heaven because he managed to not kill diablo), but there were needed to be more feelings.
i liked the last part, that i can say.

i hope one day i will understand how i feel about the rest of the book.
now, can we stop playing and get on with ben’s book?

(EDIT: my friends, we have a wonderful update: ben is next AND angelo will get his book🥰 i’m so glad we stopped wasting time with that horrible series☺️)

[jessicakaitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

How dare this be so spicy but also so heartwarming! Why was I almost crying multiple times while reading this 😭😭

Diablo was a selfish idiot for most of this book until the last 30% where he literally had me in my feels🥹🥹 Skyler was everything tho. I need a big bodyguard for myself 🙏🏼

Was this also ridiculous? Yes. But I loved every minute of it.

Cora rose slays once again. MM queen 🫶🏼🫶🏼

[Bati · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK, I finished. But I have a few thoughts.🐸

1. First of all, the cover is awful. Scratch that, this cover is hideous. As if the graphic designer decided to take revenge on humanity for all the bad things in this world and mixed the ugliest colors together.

2. I don't feel the chemistry between Diablo and Skylar.🥺

3. I don't have enough empathy to understand Diablo's tantrums.

4. The spanking was hot, though.🤪

[Mir · Rating 2 out of 5]

No. Just…no.

[Julia (bookish.jka)]

"I nod wordlessly and move toward him, crawling onto the bed and straddling his thighs. Without thinking twice about it, my hands slide through his hair and my lips descend onto his. I don’t kiss. I’ve never kissed anyone before in my life, and yet I can’t stop myself this time."

Diablo is book 7 in the Unexpected series by Cora Rose. This is Diablo and Skylar's story and it's a wild and whacky bodyguard/son of a mafia boss read!

If you love Cora's usual (whacky, tongue in cheek, suspend disbelief) writing style, you're going to adore Diablo too.

Tropes:

🌶️age gap
🌶️bodyguard romance
🌶️forced proximity
🌶️forbidden
🌶️opposites attract
🌶️steamy
🌶️HEA

4 whacky, steamy stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Worst book of the series

Reading Cora’s very first book blew me away. I couldn’t believe it was the first one with how well written it was and how it instantly drew me in. THIS is what I would have expected from a first time author. The writing has gone downhill steadily as it seems she writes for laughs and not quality. Two stars because I did laugh a few times. But I had to scroll half the book just to finally be done with it.

[Lionelle Pmuls (That's Slump Backwards & It's What I Do) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 I Will Never Learn, You Have To Keep Teaching Me 😉 Stars ⭐

Read: 19/08/2023 - 20/08/2023

What to expect from this book? 🤔🙃

😈👉 Big Stoic Caretaker Military Bodyguard
😼🖕 Purring Bratty Mobster Boss Son
😈👉 10 Year Age Gap (but no one makes it a big deal)
😈 🤌 Massive Size Difference (mentioned a lot)
✊️😈 Forced Proximity-Secret Safe Houses Hiding
🤏😈 Haters To Lovers (at least from Diablo's side)
🎆🥴🎆 Super Well Written Consensual Dub/Non-Consent
😈🌵Some Bratty Shenanigans That Lead To Some Discipline Action 🤐
😵 Light BDSM 🥄💥Spanking💥🤚 and ☠️🪢Rope Play🪢🥵
😻 A Bit Of Praise Kink 🤤
😳 🫣 🥵 "Adult Romance" With a Pinch Of Dark (bc of the gore)
👏 Very good character development (👿 despite some people's opinion)
☠️ See TW Bellow ⬇️ ☠️

Series: Unexpected #7 PLUS Free Newsletter Bonus Short Scene U Can Find The Link Bellow 👇😈
Cover: 5/5
Book: 238 Kindle Pages
Story: 5/5
Audiobook: Coming Soon I Hope!
Narrators: the other audiobooks were narrated by Alexander Cendese & Liam DiCosimo

A very quick read, but wish it was longer! bc? I WANT MORE!!!
I finished it in two sittings, the humor and writing style really clicked.
After my favorites Sem, Emery, and Lex, this one is next on my list of favorite books.

While we've encountered Diablo in passing before, I was genuinely excited to delve into his and Skylar's story.
Right from the beginning, from the first chapter it had me hooked, and by the end, I was absolutely enamored. AND WANTING MORE!!!

Having seen some of the reviews, personally, I believe the book isn't rushed, it's rather well-paced and developed.
And YES, not everyone might embrace Diablo's unconventional nature, but I found myself quite captivated by his character, and his inner monologues added an entertaining humor.
Our world is filled with all sorts of people. You might find this hard to believe, but these kinds of characters actually exist in real life.(I'm specifically referring to Diablo's bratty, childish, and irresponsible traits, not the mafia-related aspects or the psychopathic tendencies).😅

All in all, a really enjoyable book. I had a blast reading it, such an incredibly fun reading experience.
It often caused me to burst into laughter or shake my head, mainly directed at Diablo, OF COURSE!

🌵🩳🌵🩳🌵🩳🌵🩳Q🌵u🩳o🌵t🩳e🌵🩳🌵🩳🌵🩳🌵🩳

Diablo: "What if I don’t wear a thing? What if I march around naked?”
Skylar runs a hand across his lower jaw and his eyes flash.
“Fine by me. Show everyone how bad you were earlier, show them that red ass.”

🌵🩳🌵🩳🌵🩳🌵🩳🌵🩳🌵🩳🌵🩳🌵🩳🌵🩳🌵🩳🌵🩳🌵

Genre/Trope: Adult/MM Romance/Adult/MM Romance/Forced Proximity/Mafia-Crime Romance/Age-Gap/BDSM/One Bed/Size Difference /Bodyguard/Spoiled Brat/Consensual Dub/Non-Consent
Trigger Warnings: Consensual Dub/Non-Consent, Few Gore Scenes Appear, Violence, Fighting, Guns, Blood, Saws, Dismemberment...
Plot: 5/5
POV: 2

Main Characters:

6/5 - Diablo, nickname: Brat, 19 yrs old, Small Height Big Personality, Mafia Boss's Son,The Brattiest Prince Of Brats, little devil 😈, psychopathic tendencies, crazy, unhinged, stubborn, spitfire, irresponsible, reckless, intense jealousy, secretly loyal and protects and takes care of the people he doesn't admit he loves.

5/5 - Skylar, 30 yrs old, Very very Tall and Very very Big 😘💪, Ex Marine, Bodyguard, caretaker, resilient, Extraordinarily Patient, kind-hearted, unexpected sense of humor, super loyal, should include teacher in his résumé.😉😉

When Cora Rose said that Diablo's book wouldn't be like the others in this series due to the characters, it's literally the best way to describe this book and how amazing this author is!
Yes, it is different from the other books.
Is it bad? NO, it has everything you expected or 'unexpected' from a Cora Rose book... The only thing that changes in this book is the setting, which takes us into the world of mafia and Consensual Dub/Non-Consent. It also introduces violence and gore subjects, making it a bit darker than what you're used to in Cora Rose books.

I always say that each book of this series has a kink... this one is a lot more kinkier than the others, with spanking and rope themes, a light BDSM.
AND how amazing this author is that instead of continuing the same way she's been writing this series.... NO, she listens to the characters and writes them perfectly RIGHT and true to themselves!

A brat with a compulsive love for destruction from a crime family finds himself guarded by a stoic ex-marine bodyguard who's a bit unprepared for the challenge he's signed up to face.

Diablo is undeniably the best and brattiest character I've ever read. Together, Skylar and Diablo form a truly captivating duo with fantastic chemistry, beginning their journey as a bodyguard-client pair. Skylar manages Diablo's brattiness with a unique combination of spankings and gentle teaching, introducing him to the world of simple, mundane things he was never taught. Through this, Diablo starts to melt and change from within.

Every outburst and fight, all aimed at capturing Skylar's attention, and he snatches every opportunity to do so.
With his eternal patience, Skylar gave Diablo the attention he needed, but to both Skylar's and Diablo's surprise, Diablo really, really liked it, and Skylar reveled in giving it to him.

We have forced proximity AT ITS BEST, as they have to hide in safe houses that Diablo's father, Anthony, insists on after Diablo seeks vengeance on someone to protect his twin brother, Angelo.
Now, Diablo's life is in danger, adding suspense to the story. As things heat up and walls come down as Skylar and Diablo navigate new feelings while trying to stay hidden from this threat.

🥄💥🥄💥🥄💥🥄💥Q🥄u💥o🥄t💥e🥄💥🥄💥🥄💥🥄💥

Skylar: “Come here.”
He pulls me up into him, those thick fingers moving to the back of my neck, holding me in place. I let out a long exhale as his thumb traces the throbbing vein in my neck.
Skylar: “Now, move your ass,” he says lowly as he walks me to the sink. “I’m going to show you how to do this so you can learn.”
I hate the way that word sets off a response in me, as if my body is remembering what it felt like for that spoon to land on my ass. About how that was a lesson to help me learn.
I love learning. My dick does too. I am a lifelong student.

🥄💥🥄💥🥄💥🥄💥🥄💥🥄💥🥄💥🥄💥🥄💥🥄💥🥄💥

Side Characters: 5/5

Like Lex, I've always enjoyed reading about Diablo and Skylar (of course, u can't separate them) as they pop up throughout the Unexpected Series. And they didn't disappoint me here in their own book!
We have a mention and later appearance of Lex, and there's also a mention on such a gossip Emery is... hehe... I love me some Emery!

Loved Angelo (Angel), Diablo's twin brother—he's so nice, truly an 😇 angel!

All the side characters are very well-developed, this includes Anthony, Diablo's father, and Casey, the other bodyguard who makes an appearance in the book.

I'm confident that Angel will eventually get his own book, and I can't wait to read it!
Perhaps we're fortunate and might even get an silver daddy widow boss mafia 🤌 book for Anthony (🤞I WISH🙏) and another one for Casey.
Casey could potentially be a MC for Angel (maybe), it would make for a fantastic story because the two characters have such good natures and are heartwarming.

At the end of the book, we get a glimpse of Skylar's mother and sister, but not in as much depth as I thought we would get.

🍞🔥🍞🔥🍞🔥🍞🔥Q🍞u🔥o🍞t🔥e🍞🔥🍞🔥🍞🔥🍞🔥

Diablo: I realize he’s here to keep me safe, but I’m nothing if not vindictive.
His hands are still on me, holding me against him. When I try to move away, his fingers dig into my sides. Plumes of desire streak up my body, and I feel my muscles clench. Oh hell.
“I get the point. I’m not going outside. I’ll stay in. Like a good little dog.”
Skylar: “Good boy.”
The way he says it makes my entire body flame. That coupled with his fingers digging into my flesh is making me all sorts of unreasonable.
“Do not speak to me like I’m an animal,” I spit and then pry his fingers off of me and take a step away.
He watches me intently until I start to fidget.
Skylar: “Hm.” It’s all he says and it makes my blood boil, makes me want to lash out and scream. I am not going to survive this. They should have just let the hitman come and kill me. Would have been a more pleasant way to die.
“I’m just going to go over here…and sulk.”
Skylar: “Good,” Skylar says and all casually, like he didn’t just make me crack slightly.

🍞🔥🍞🔥🍞🔥🍞🔥🍞🔥🍞🔥🍞🔥🍞🔥🍞🔥🍞🔥🍞🔥

Humor: High Focus
Angst: Very Low Focus (Cora Rose Trade-Card Third Breakup Didn't Happened)
Steam Level: 5/5
Romance: Medium Focus
Love triangle? No
Cheating? No
The Ending: 5/5
HEA/HFN? Both but more HEA
Favorite character? Obviously My Horny Diablo
Would I read more of this author/series? Of F*cking Course Bring In The Next
Would I recommend this book/series? A BIG Y E S
Will I read this again in the future? Again YES

Enjoyment: 5/5

🦋🔪🦋🔪🦋🔪🦋🔪Q🦋u🔪o🦋t🔪e🦋🔪🦋🔪🦋🔪🦋🔪

Skylar: “Don’t be mad at me because you want something for the first time in your life and can’t have it.”
Diablo: “Pfft. I don’t want you.”
Skylar: “You do.”
Diablo: “I’m going to murder you and bury you in the desert. Coyotes will eat you. There will be nothing left of you.” He reaches out and his fingers skim my cheek. My heart flutters in my chest, those razor-sharp wings in my stomach slicing me open once more.
Skylar:“Good luck with that, brat,” he says as he pushes past me.
My eyes slam shut, and I inhale deeply. I cannot let him get to me. A few cuddles, a few soft touches and I’m ruined?
Absolutely not. My mind swirls with plans—bratty, annoying plans.

🦋🔪🦋🔪🦋🔪🦋🔪 🦋🔪🦋🔪🦋🔪🦋🔪🦋🔪🦋🔪🦋🔪

I felt deeply for Diablo and understood the reasons behind his actions and needs.
When we finally witness the genuine vulnerability beneath Diablo’s abrasive and elaborate facade, it was truly captivating. The blend of intensity and protectiveness in Skylar's genuine care for Diablo was perfect.
I believe that Diablo is perfect just as he is and is a great match for Skylar.
Just like with other Cora Rose books, you should be prepared for some craziness (although this one has a slightly darker tone, as I said earlier), but it fits perfectly with these characters and their relationship.

Maybe Ambroius Goldenloin from Nimona was onto something, and Arm Chopping is indeed a Love Language.

By the end of the book, Diablo's guard is still slightly up, yet Skylar is so attuned to him that he knows exactly how to handle Diablo, understands him, and possesses a knack for wearing him down.

I loved how Diablo completely loses his sh*t over Skylar's injury.

🤚💥🤚💥🤚💥🤚💥Q🤚u💥o🤚t💥e🤚💥🤚💥🤚💥🤚💥

Skylar:“Sorry, brat, I stopped and got you something,” I say, leaning down to press a kiss to his neck and grabbing his ass. He hisses at the rough way I handle him. I spanked him again yesterday for being a little shit, but he was asking for it by slashing my pillow with a knife.
Apparently, I forgot to kiss him goodbye.
Some would say it’s toxic, but it works for us.

🤚💥🤚💥🤚💥🤚💥🤚💥🤚💥🤚💥🤚💥🤚💥🤚💥🤚💥

Bonus REVIEW:

A Diablo's Short is a sneak peak into the future were Diablo is trying to be romantic and adorably failing.

Speak To Me... Spider Senses...The Next Book Of The Series....*Deep Breaths*...Ben's.....Angel's....*Lighting Strikes*.......Ben's MMM Book 🤞

😎😴😎😴😎😴😎😴Q😎u😴o😎t😴e😎😴😎😴😎😴😎😴

Skylar: How the fuck did I get here? And why the hell do I feel this way? It has to be a bit of insanity, some kind of delirium. Perhaps Diablo is poisoning my food. Perhaps I am in the Matrix. Inception? Who fucking knows, but it’s there and it’s not going away.

😎😴😎😴😎😴😎😴😎😴😎😴😎😴😎😴😎😴😎😴😎😴

Unexpected:
1. Whit - 4,4 stars
2. Sem - 5,5 stars
3. Emery - 5,0 stars
4. Luke - 3,8 stars
5. Lex - 3,8 stars
6. Colin - 3,8 stars
7. Diablo - 5,0 stars

🤞Please The Next Be Ben & Cash & Ford's book🤞

Novellas:

7.5. A Diablo's Short - Diablo's Short (can be found on the author's website www.coraroseromance.com) - 5,0 stars

🥶❄️🥶B❄️o🥶n❄️u🥶s❄️🥶❄️🥶Q❄️u🥶o❄️t🥶e❄️🥶❄️

Skylar: It’s a weird kind of possessiveness that I’ve never felt before.
I’m not sure if I’ve lost my mind completely or if he’s cast some sort of evil spell on me.
“Beg me, Diablo.”
Diablo: “It will be a cold fucking day in hell before that happens.”

❄️🥶❄️🥶❄️🥶❄️🥶❄️🥶❄️🥶❄️🥶❄️🥶❄️🥶❄️🥶❄️🥶

!! I don't equate fiction stories to real life. It's a matter of personal taste and what you are willing or want to tolerate in the books you read. We all have different opinions and preferences when it comes to the kind of books we enjoy, so it's important to respect and remember that it's just a book!!

Hope this review was helpful. Click Here To See All My Reviews

[Lindsey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I see I am in the absolute minority and people seem to love this book and it's characters, but, it’s an absolute 1 star for me.

Diablo is an absolute little shite to his bodyguard for no other reason than he makes him horny and he “hates being told what to do.”
I'm sorry, what? Skylar is your bodyguard, attempting to do his job and for this you’re acting out like a 5 year old? It was literally more believable that he’s a toddler than a 20 year old man.

Quickly, I get up and tiptoe to the window, my eyes catching on the table. My spot hasn’t been cleaned up, and for some reason, I feel bad for not doing what he asked. Is it so unreasonable? I debate it for a moment before remembering that I’m not a doormat. No one tells me what to do.

Basic manners = doormat. Gotcha.

He knocks over an empty picture frame and doesn’t pick it back up before crouching down and looking under the bed.

Sigh.

He sets the granola on the counter, too close to the edge so the bag topples onto the floor. It scatters on the ground, some landing near my feet. I glance at him, wanting to see his reaction, but he just steps over it and moves to search for the bread, not at all bothered that he’s walking on hard objects.

That's just gross.

The mess I made is epic, plates and bowls smashed across the floor. Fuck, I did a good job, but goddamn, this is going to take forever to clean up.
“I don’t wanna,” I say.
“You’re gonna.”

…I’m sorry, the fuck what?

Skylar starts off in the beginning mentioning how Diablo tests his patience (same my guy, same), and how unattractive that is, but when he sees a mark he’s given him (spanks the shit out of him), it turns him on and brings out a possessive side of him that makes him want to claim him.
Okay, so basically you’re horny and wanna bang. Understandable. But in no way do I believe that there is love here.

I'm sorry but Diablo is such an absolute unlikeable character that I don’t think I’ll carry on reading more from this series, which hurts my heart because it started off beautifully and I’ve loved almost every single book. I feel like it’s leading more and more to sex = love, and we’re being told that there’s romance happening but I’m just not SEEING it.

It ends with Diablo slashing his pillow because Skylar forgot to say goodbye and letting us know that their relationship is not a traditional one because telling someone you hate them, is your love language and not at all a sign of emotional immaturity.
K.

[Megan (feral hearts club) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wwhhhaaatttt did I just read?!? I didn’t hate it, but I definitely didn’t love it.