What do you think?
Rate this book
Dangerous Defiance: (King & Eliza)
King When I go to work for the Valentis, I don’t expect my first assignment to be my biggest challenge—marry the daughter of a rival boss. Wild and smart-mouthed as she is beautiful, Eliza Pomponio’s nothing but a bratty princess who’s always gotten her way. And she seems determined to push all my buttons. Everyone is counting on us to keep peace between the New York families, though, so that’s exactly what I’ll do. Even if it proves the hardest thing I've ever done. Eliza In one moment, my freedom is snatched away when my father tells me I have to marry a man I’ve never met. I expect an 80-year-old retired boss who craves my virgin flesh in payment for his service. Bright side—in a few years, he’ll be gone, and I’ll be free again. I’m not prepared for the dangerously gorgeous soldier my father presents. Like anything that looks too good to be true, so is my new husband. He’s cold, cruel, and worst of all, young. Suddenly, marriage is a life sentence. That is, if I don’t show him from day one that no one controls Eliza Pomponio. This book is not intended for those with triggers or readers under 18. This title was previously published as Mafia Princess. It has been largely rewritten and contains new material and dark content.
525 pages, Paperback
Published July 25, 2023
2529 people are currently reading
7405 people want to read
About the author
Selena .
42 books1,323 followersYou might not guess it when you pick up your first Selena novel, but Selena is a true romantic. She writes gritty, realistic New Adult contemporary novels with characters you'll love to hate and hate to love.
If reading about teens behaving badly upsets you, steer clear because these are full of drama, angst, fighting, drugs, sex, and rock & roll. There will be times you want to throw your Kindle. There will be lying, cheating, bullying, backstabbing, violence, and hard-earned, sweet redemption for those who won't give up on love. Because life's not always picture perfect, but every heart, no matter how broken and damaged, deserves love.
If reading about teens behaving badly upsets you, steer clear because these are full of drama, angst, fighting, drugs, sex, and rock & roll. There will be times you want to throw your Kindle. There will be lying, cheating, bullying, backstabbing, violence, and hard-earned, sweet redemption for those who won't give up on love. Because life's not always picture perfect, but every heart, no matter how broken and damaged, deserves love.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 424 reviews
March 31, 2022
The main character is intolerable
First, I had a good giggle as some of the reviews mentioned "so so dark, if you need trigger warnings you shouldn't read this", with a similar warning at the start of the book. It's some relatively mild noncon with flashbacks of childhood abuse (I read a lot of dark romance, this book *is* dark but not so dark as claimed).
Second, the female MC is so insufferable. I wanted the male MC to punish her because of how intolerable she was. She was a total brat beyond pretty much any redemption, whiny, manipulative, the works. Fake tears and everything. It made her completely unlikeable to me, even in the second half when she's supposed to be better.
First, I had a good giggle as some of the reviews mentioned "so so dark, if you need trigger warnings you shouldn't read this", with a similar warning at the start of the book. It's some relatively mild noncon with flashbacks of childhood abuse (I read a lot of dark romance, this book *is* dark but not so dark as claimed).
Second, the female MC is so insufferable. I wanted the male MC to punish her because of how intolerable she was. She was a total brat beyond pretty much any redemption, whiny, manipulative, the works. Fake tears and everything. It made her completely unlikeable to me, even in the second half when she's supposed to be better.
Read
April 20, 2022What in the ever loving book was this. I’m sorry, but Eliza made me want to smack the shit out of her every time she so much as opened her mouth. She was so insufferable, whiny, intolerable—straight up unlikable. I couldn’t finish it. DNF’d at 54%.
Also. Sigh. If your book has triggers… LIST THEM OUT. “This book is not intended for readers with triggers. If you have hard limits, my books will cross them. For your safety, please return this book if you have ANY triggers.” This? THIS DOES NOTHING. List down that is triggering! Let us know what the triggers are! That’s your job as an author! Goddamn. Hard next.
Also. Sigh. If your book has triggers… LIST THEM OUT. “This book is not intended for readers with triggers. If you have hard limits, my books will cross them. For your safety, please return this book if you have ANY triggers.” This? THIS DOES NOTHING. List down that is triggering! Let us know what the triggers are! That’s your job as an author! Goddamn. Hard next.
October 22, 2020
This was a good read for me. Whilst I certainly felt for heroine I actually preferred the hero in the this book. Whilst not an alpha as I normally like I think he needed to be as soft as he was in character to suit the heroine in this book. All in all a good read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 26, 2022
Originally titled Mafia Princess, and re-written, I have to say my original thoughts stay the same. Eliza, while has an abusive past, is still very much an unlikable character. She makes King’s actions towards her - almost justified. 😱
An arranged marriage, forced into the mafia world, King is working his way up the line from a mere soldier. Stressed, he has to deal with an immature and bratty bride who honestly has zero redeeming qualities about her.
King feels guilty for treating her like crap, which she honestly deserved. So it was this pitty party and groveling which to be honest, just didn’t work.
No romance. The relationship buildup was minimal.
This is one of my favorite authors. Like ever. I highly recommend the Willow Heights Prep Academy - The Elite and the Exile series! They are fantastic.
This book , although a miss for me, is written by a fantastic author and should not be passed up.
An arranged marriage, forced into the mafia world, King is working his way up the line from a mere soldier. Stressed, he has to deal with an immature and bratty bride who honestly has zero redeeming qualities about her.
King feels guilty for treating her like crap, which she honestly deserved. So it was this pitty party and groveling which to be honest, just didn’t work.
No romance. The relationship buildup was minimal.
This is one of my favorite authors. Like ever. I highly recommend the Willow Heights Prep Academy - The Elite and the Exile series! They are fantastic.
This book , although a miss for me, is written by a fantastic author and should not be passed up.
October 27, 2022
You are mentally unstable if you think King is a book boyfriend.Period.
November 5, 2020
THE REVIEW FOR THE BOOK: MAFIA PRINCESS.
GENRE: MAFIA ROMANCE.
AUTHOR:SELENA.
SERIES BOOK #1 OF THE SERIES.
POV:DUAL PROSPECTIVE.
MY RATING: 4.5 stars.
Arrange Marriage is a Mafia world...
Duty and loyalty call out more than blood and to get the throne you will have to give the test.
A spin-off of the willow prep series, this is king and Eliza's story.
I was so excited to hear that King is getting a book...because when I was so invested in his character since the previous series and always wanted to know how he will turn out.
And boy did he surpass my expectations.
The story was original and with suspense dripping from the edges. We could sense something brewing in the background but it was hard to pinpoint till the end...Definitely will keep you at the edge of your seat.
I am excited to indulge in more books from this amazing world in future...King is a true leader...😍
GENRE: MAFIA ROMANCE.
AUTHOR:SELENA.
SERIES BOOK #1 OF THE SERIES.
POV:DUAL PROSPECTIVE.
MY RATING: 4.5 stars.
Arrange Marriage is a Mafia world...
Duty and loyalty call out more than blood and to get the throne you will have to give the test.
A spin-off of the willow prep series, this is king and Eliza's story.
I was so excited to hear that King is getting a book...because when I was so invested in his character since the previous series and always wanted to know how he will turn out.
And boy did he surpass my expectations.
The story was original and with suspense dripping from the edges. We could sense something brewing in the background but it was hard to pinpoint till the end...Definitely will keep you at the edge of your seat.
I am excited to indulge in more books from this amazing world in future...King is a true leader...😍
June 29, 2022
I love Mafia romance. I love the arranged marriage enemies to lovers trope. But this fell flatter than a soda that's been left out too long. I finished out of spite honestly.
I absolutely could not stand the FMC. I couldn't stand the MMC... Everything was all over the place. So many reviewers said this was dark. The only dark thing about this was that it's a mafia romance.
The FMC's trauma/abuse was meh and written in a way that made no sense to me/was not believable.
The age thing was also an issue... They're supposed to be 18? That's not the vibe for me honestly. 21 maybe would have worked but I feel like 18 just didn't fit here.
All in all, this book just did not do it for me and I will not read any of the others.
I absolutely could not stand the FMC. I couldn't stand the MMC... Everything was all over the place. So many reviewers said this was dark. The only dark thing about this was that it's a mafia romance.
The FMC's trauma/abuse was meh and written in a way that made no sense to me/was not believable.
The age thing was also an issue... They're supposed to be 18? That's not the vibe for me honestly. 21 maybe would have worked but I feel like 18 just didn't fit here.
All in all, this book just did not do it for me and I will not read any of the others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2020
Ok so, King was my favorite of Crystal’s brothers, even when he was being super protective because he didn’t understand love. I’m really glad to finally get his story! I thought the arranged marriage was a nice addition, even though Eliza wasn’t my favorite for most of the book.
Even if she wasn’t my favorite, I understood and felt for her. She definitely gets better as the book goes on, and King is a big part of that. They have their ups and downs, but decide to push through together. As the author has mentioned, it’s not a typical mafia book with a ton of mafia business going on, which I totally didn’t mind. The little bits that we do have are great! King really steps up as a man and husband. Some of their internal monologues were a bit repetitive in them realizing how they felt and about them growing, but it’s honest.
I’m still really hung up on Crystal and Devlin’s ending (lol) so I’m glad that we got to see a bit of what happened from King’s POV, and I’m sad for him and still hope that there’s a resolution with that, even despite the epilogue happening almost two years after the end of Crystal’s book. (Is this a *spoiler*) i also missed his interactions with his brothers!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Even if she wasn’t my favorite, I understood and felt for her. She definitely gets better as the book goes on, and King is a big part of that. They have their ups and downs, but decide to push through together. As the author has mentioned, it’s not a typical mafia book with a ton of mafia business going on, which I totally didn’t mind. The little bits that we do have are great! King really steps up as a man and husband. Some of their internal monologues were a bit repetitive in them realizing how they felt and about them growing, but it’s honest.
I’m still really hung up on Crystal and Devlin’s ending (lol) so I’m glad that we got to see a bit of what happened from King’s POV, and I’m sad for him and still hope that there’s a resolution with that, even despite the epilogue happening almost two years after the end of Crystal’s book. (Is this a *spoiler*) i also missed his interactions with his brothers!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Read
September 13, 2022i always find it difficult to rate a book one star but here we are.
im ok with dark books. i love darker books. however, this book is different.
the entire conflict of this book is basically the MC having to forgive the LI for r@ping her. literally the entire plot basically.
no, it wasn’t dub-con. no, it wasn’t even non-con. it was full on r@pe.
im ok with dark books. i love darker books. however, this book is different.
the entire conflict of this book is basically the MC having to forgive the LI for r@ping her. literally the entire plot basically.
no, it wasn’t dub-con. no, it wasn’t even non-con. it was full on r@pe.
November 4, 2020
Goodness,no.
January 22, 2024
DNF at 72%
he rapes her because she *checks notes* had friends over and they made the house messy.
he rapes her because she *checks notes* had friends over and they made the house messy.
February 12, 2022
Ever since i started the willow heights story I fell in love with king and was so happy when I was told he had his own story that followed on nicely to the bully me series!
Though this one isn't as brutal, dark or even as steamy as the bully me series it's was everything king was! It represented him 100% Yes I like more steam in my books and the brutal bullying between lovers but that just isn't king. The hate relationship between king and Eliza isn't huge either i wouldnt even go as far as to say hate each other just hated the situation. But watching them grow into the couple they are was amazing I lived for knowing King had his HEA 🥰.
I absolutely loved all the little cross overs about crystal also! The fact they thought about her still being alive and that even Eliza thinks she may still be alive.... amazing!! my only wish would be to have a story were we meet crystals baby and Kings baby and them meeting I know it probably won't happen but I would 100% be down and content with this happening 😅
This was a nice little softener from the bully me series and was definitely needed 😌 I can't not wait to read the Bad apple series now and find out what our boy royals been up to since "loosing crystal"
Though this one isn't as brutal, dark or even as steamy as the bully me series it's was everything king was! It represented him 100% Yes I like more steam in my books and the brutal bullying between lovers but that just isn't king. The hate relationship between king and Eliza isn't huge either i wouldnt even go as far as to say hate each other just hated the situation. But watching them grow into the couple they are was amazing I lived for knowing King had his HEA 🥰.
I absolutely loved all the little cross overs about crystal also! The fact they thought about her still being alive and that even Eliza thinks she may still be alive.... amazing!! my only wish would be to have a story were we meet crystals baby and Kings baby and them meeting I know it probably won't happen but I would 100% be down and content with this happening 😅
This was a nice little softener from the bully me series and was definitely needed 😌 I can't not wait to read the Bad apple series now and find out what our boy royals been up to since "loosing crystal"
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2022
This was recommended by a friend and I so glad I listened! Such a well written mafia arranged marriage. Loved the characters, the plot twists and their HEA. Definitely hoping for more in this series
May 3, 2024
1.5
I've read worse. I actually liked him, but dear God the heroine was unbearable to the point where I would probably hit her with a brick in a face if I could.
I've read worse. I actually liked him, but dear God the heroine was unbearable to the point where I would probably hit her with a brick in a face if I could.
June 15, 2024
I mean it wasn’t bad but it wasn’t good either!
Read
July 22, 2024DNF 26%
October 10, 2022
Snacka om att ha issues
June 1, 2024
Mmmmm this was a terrible decision womp womp
June 29, 2022
Cut this story short , he R@ped her , she’s annoying as fuck , also forgave him quickly , didn’t make him grovel as much as somebody who touched someone with consent , her no use to sexcually abuse her , I just didn’t like this story , to me it was horrible
August 8, 2023
Well, this shit was fucking horrific. To think that this author genuinely believes that a cup of tea is enough to make up for a violent sexual assault is beyond understanding. Only read this if you have a genuine rape-fetish.
April 25, 2024
this is a disgusting book. I don't even know where to start explaining how bad it was. if I could rate this book in the negative, I would do so mf heartbeat.
January 22, 2023
not my fav…
I really struggled with finishing this book because half of me enjoyed the story the other half had some issues with it.
First off I liked that Eliza was much more complicated than what met our eye. You think she’s this bratty princess (and she plays that card well) but it’s all an act. She’s hiding some serious trauma that happened to her and I found she was an incredibly strong woman.
I think my biggest grievance is King. I liked his character alot in the Bully Me series, he very much felt like a strong, protective yet kind (to those he cares about) man but in this book he had a bit of a cruel streak then immediately after would grovel and say how sorry he was. I would have rather he be one or the other: Mean and force Eliza to deal or Dominant yet kind and be a guiding partner.
But they’re both 18 so they behave/react a lot of times like a teenager so, idk there’s definitely pros and cons to the book.
Also in the epilogue Eliza reveals that she’s pregnant and she says “..your still gonna love me when I’m fat and swollen..”/// I’ve never had a child but even I can sympathize with pregnant women and the whole “fat” comment is a redundant topic. I’m sure it wasn’t meant to be any kind of way because I know a lot of pregnant women feel this way because society brainwashes them about how they should look but idk, the comment was very Meh 😑 for me
-nøncøn scenes
-s£xual trauma
-violence
I really struggled with finishing this book because half of me enjoyed the story the other half had some issues with it.
First off I liked that Eliza was much more complicated than what met our eye. You think she’s this bratty princess (and she plays that card well) but it’s all an act. She’s hiding some serious trauma that happened to her and I found she was an incredibly strong woman.
I think my biggest grievance is King. I liked his character alot in the Bully Me series, he very much felt like a strong, protective yet kind (to those he cares about) man but in this book he had a bit of a cruel streak then immediately after would grovel and say how sorry he was. I would have rather he be one or the other: Mean and force Eliza to deal or Dominant yet kind and be a guiding partner.
But they’re both 18 so they behave/react a lot of times like a teenager so, idk there’s definitely pros and cons to the book.
Also in the epilogue Eliza reveals that she’s pregnant and she says “..your still gonna love me when I’m fat and swollen..”/// I’ve never had a child but even I can sympathize with pregnant women and the whole “fat” comment is a redundant topic. I’m sure it wasn’t meant to be any kind of way because I know a lot of pregnant women feel this way because society brainwashes them about how they should look but idk, the comment was very Meh 😑 for me
-nøncøn scenes
-s£xual trauma
-violence
June 30, 2022
I definitely enjoyed this one so much more than the original. The rewrite for King’s story is exactly what I was wanting for him. In the original King came across as soft to me. He let Eliza walk all over him. With this one King Dolce has arrived.
He’s still the silent, sexy dangerous “made” just with a little more monster showing! I loved that he was more dominant and there was more spice to this one as well! The Dolce’s are filthy, rotten, sexy god men and this showed King’s side!
I love getting into the Dolce’s heads. First Crystal, then King and the Royal (who’s still my #1). And I can’t wait to get inside Duke and Baron’s minds! Especially Baron he has fascinated me from the beginning!
He’s still the silent, sexy dangerous “made” just with a little more monster showing! I loved that he was more dominant and there was more spice to this one as well! The Dolce’s are filthy, rotten, sexy god men and this showed King’s side!
I love getting into the Dolce’s heads. First Crystal, then King and the Royal (who’s still my #1). And I can’t wait to get inside Duke and Baron’s minds! Especially Baron he has fascinated me from the beginning!
December 21, 2024
Dangerous Defiance is a mafia romance that is light on the dark vibe. The MCs are 18 and the hero is a protector that is a soldier in the family mafia but the heroine is horrible, not likeable in the least. Arranged Marriage is the trope and this book just didn't have a wow factor.
King Dolce is just 18 and he's now a made man for his Uncle Valenti. Also, he has been selected to marry Eliza to unite the feuding families.
Eliza Pomponio never wanted to marry and isn't to keen on a lowly soldier. She wants her freedom and doesn't want to be controlled.
When she continues to defy him he crosses the line and forces her to submit. Will he ever gain her trust back and will he be killed for sending her back to her father?
King Dolce is just 18 and he's now a made man for his Uncle Valenti. Also, he has been selected to marry Eliza to unite the feuding families.
Eliza Pomponio never wanted to marry and isn't to keen on a lowly soldier. She wants her freedom and doesn't want to be controlled.
When she continues to defy him he crosses the line and forces her to submit. Will he ever gain her trust back and will he be killed for sending her back to her father?
July 7, 2024
If you're looking for a book with an arranged marriage, a mafia setting and a female lead who stands her ground, then you'd like this book. Eliza and King don't start their relationship on good terms, being forced into this marriage as an alliance. I loved that Eliza was portrayed as someone willing to express her feelings and that King was able to understand his mistakes and was willing to fulfil the vows he made. We learn more about their background and what made them the way they were, helping us to connect and understand them.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 9, 2023
“I’m your king. Don’t forget it again.”
This made me wish I'd started reading Selena's books so much sooner.
She has me hook, line, and sinker from this day forward. If you like characters with depth, darkness, and want to feel the emotion right through the pages-read this!
The mafia aspects were there but not overbearing to the storyline,they were laid out extremely well. The connection between the two main characters developed over time and wasn't rushed on either end, especially on Eliza's.
I ended up falling head over heels for King right alongside her.
This made me wish I'd started reading Selena's books so much sooner.
She has me hook, line, and sinker from this day forward. If you like characters with depth, darkness, and want to feel the emotion right through the pages-read this!
The mafia aspects were there but not overbearing to the storyline,they were laid out extremely well. The connection between the two main characters developed over time and wasn't rushed on either end, especially on Eliza's.
I ended up falling head over heels for King right alongside her.
May 21, 2024
I enjoyed nothing about this book. I kept thinking it was going to get better, but it was insufferable the entire time. At 60% I decided I was gonna just skim through the rest to see what happens because I have a hard time Dnf’ing books. Unfortunately, I could have been fine not finishing it. While I feel for the FMC and her trauma, I could not get over how incredibly annoying she was. I felt like there was no genuine connection between the FMC and the MMC, even after they supposedly fell in love with each other. Anyway, I finished it so that’s something I guess.
March 13, 2025
King has to move away from his brother's as he was promised to the mafia side of his family.....this follows him forging his new path taking him away from Royal, Duke and Baron and the crushing guilt of Crystal.....Eliza is the definition of a spoiled brat and you will spend most of this book not liking her....then you discover her past trauma and it all makes sense.....I would have loved a moment where King is out and about and he sees Crystal and their eyes meet, but they just nod to each other and go on with their lives 💕
June 9, 2024
A story of healing
This story definitely has imperfect characters who make big mistakes. Some people would argue that King is one big red flag, in fact…but he fits the world he lives in. Both Eliza and King have deep wounds on their psyches that must heal before they can really live. Avoidance only gets them so far. This is the story of how they got married and fell in love. It’s a tough read at times but worth it.
This story definitely has imperfect characters who make big mistakes. Some people would argue that King is one big red flag, in fact…but he fits the world he lives in. Both Eliza and King have deep wounds on their psyches that must heal before they can really live. Avoidance only gets them so far. This is the story of how they got married and fell in love. It’s a tough read at times but worth it.
September 30, 2024
Love stories in Selena’s world…
Always intriguing and innocent, and deceptive. I enjoyed King’s story and Eliza tale.. these two were hurting in so many ways.. King feeling lost and alone.. Eliza could not trust anyone.. not even her memories.. they were forced together and had soul searching moments together. They got to really know each other and dated.. a relationship developed..and trust… and so much more..
Always intriguing and innocent, and deceptive. I enjoyed King’s story and Eliza tale.. these two were hurting in so many ways.. King feeling lost and alone.. Eliza could not trust anyone.. not even her memories.. they were forced together and had soul searching moments together. They got to really know each other and dated.. a relationship developed..and trust… and so much more..
Displaying 1 - 30 of 424 reviews