Coercion

by Ellie Sanders

RUBY


Five years ago my uncle murdered my family, butchered them in their beds. And I know the only reason I’m alive is because I’m useful, a thing to barter. A thing to sell.

Well, today he’ll get his payday. He’s made a deal, he’s handing me over as a blushing bride to Preston Civello.

I’m meant to be the rubber stamp of a truce between our two warring families but in secret I’m there to bring my new husband down, to bring Nico Morelli down from the inside. To act as a spy.

Only I have an entirely different plan - I’m going to seduce him, to win him to my side. I’ll play the good little wife and I’ll serve him on my knees if I have to, all the while pretending that my past never happened.

But when all my horrible secrets are revealed, will my husband believe me or will he see me as just a traitor in his bed?


PRESTON

I know her past. I know her history. I’m convinced she’s going to be a snake sleeping in my bed but when my Mafia Princess Bride is all but dragged down the aisle and I clap eyes on her tear-stained face, none of that seems to matter. My cold, ruthless heart melts and something feral takes over.

She might have been a pawn in her uncle’s games but from now on she belongs to me. She’s mine.

Only that’s not exactly true because of the promise Nico forced me to make- she doesn’t know it but she’s his god daughter, and I’m not allowed to touch her. Not allowed to claim her. He’s made her off limits, a fruit I’m forbidden from tasting and, as each day passes, it’s getting harder and harder to resist my tempting little wife. And tempting she is. Dangerously so.

And when all the players come out of the woodwork, I’m forced to face a truth I never thought possible, that maybe she’s not as loyal as she first seemed. Maybe she really is the snake I first took her for...


Things to know about

Mafia with a healthy does of spice
Age Gap
MF
Jealous / possessive hero
Strong female with a traumatic backstory
Dual POV
Trigger warning list in front of book

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Mafia Romance, Contemporary Romance

359 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2024

About the author

International bestselling author of Pitch Black Romance.


Ellie Sanders lives in rural Hampshire, in the U.K. with her partner and two troublesome dogs.

She has a BA Hons degree in English and American Literature with Creative Writing and enjoys spending her time, when not endlessly writing, exploring the countryside around her home.



Hit her up on her the following accounts.....

FB Group: The Hot Steamy Writer
Instagram: @hotsteamywriter
TikTok: @hotsteamywriter
Twitter: @hotsteamywriter

Reviews

[cajareads]

He beat her and mutilated her back and I’m supposed to be okay with this shit? WTF

“Her face is screwed up. Half of it is black with swelling from where my hands have laid into her.”

And this happened 80% into the book by the way. Thank lord I read the reviews beforehand because I cannot imagine reading a story about a husband who beat his wife to a pulp that far into the story and this author expected me/us readers to be okay with it????? Good lord. To the author, please add abuse in the tags as well because you and I both know damn well that tag should be included as well!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness I loved this book so much, I couldn't put it down! Ellie Sanders's writing continues to amaze me. Although this is the second book in the series it can be read as a standalone. Preston and Ruby's story has everything wonderful you can imagine in a dark romance read. Right away I could tell I was going to like these characters but by the end I was in love with them. The unimaginable things that Ruby has survived through is astonishing. The strength that this woman possess is admirable. In the end seeing her so confident and her taking what she wanted made me love her even more. Preston is the very definition of a morally gray hero. As much as he tries to follow orders and not give in to his attraction and fascination with his wife he can't help but be drawn to her. There's drama and suspense, action, betrayal, shocking reveals, great news from a previous couple and it wouldn't be an Ellie book without plenty of steam!! Ellie's mfc's always go through a lot so make sure you check the triggers in the front of the book before reading.

[Alina · Rating 1 out of 5]

we love an abusive mmc who beats the shit out of the fmc and mutilates her without a second thought nor spare her a word

[Scarlett · Rating 1 out of 5]

Seriously? I should never have read it.This book made me sick.

[jazzyreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This second book was way better than the first one with Nico and Eleri’s story. Coercion had more of a story line that was entertaining. Less 🌶️.

[Valentina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lost interest in the story. Read like similar mafia cross-family, arranged marriage with an abused heroine and older hero, more than 20 years her senior, who decides to take care of her. Pace was slow and grammar was strange; the use of the verb “to sit” was constantly used and constantly used incorrectly. “She is sat next to him,” for example, as if she’s an inanimate object instead of “she sits next to him.” In the end, I didn’t care for Ruby and her healing journey, and the hero was too sweet. DNF 28%

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

ooof, so imma need a cold shower after this one. Just like Vendetta (which i ADORED) this book is NOT for everyone. If you have sensitivities to graphic violence (physical and sexual) then this isn't the book for you. I love a story of a king bringing his women up to be a queen in her own right, not just "his" queen but powerful in herself. Nico and E appear in this story and its so nice to see how E grew into herself and is no longer the shy scared girl of the first book. she owns her scars and dares anyone to comment about them, which is just what our MFC here needs to grow and make friends.

When i tell you i need three more books just to fit in the amount of groveling the MMC needs to do to make up for what he did to his wife, I need it more than air at this point. I get why he did what he did, but he should have known better being how she acted throughout the book. He spends most of the book building her up, letting her trust and grow, and protecting her, until the weasel of a bad guy gets under his skin. Sanders KNOWS how to write a hate-able character. Ruby is precious, and life dealt her a shitty hand, being used as a pawn for others and when shes almost safe and healed Preston rips it from her, and yet through all that she wants to trust him. The betrayal and angst almost got me. I had to take a step back before finishing it because i felt so bad for her and wanted to swaddle her up in a blanket, she did everything right and shes such a pure soul.
both the MMC and MFC fight for their HEA, and while its fat from traditional, its their HEA, and thats good enough got them.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was PHENOMENAL!! I love when the guy has to grovel and this book was no different. Preston (a weird name for a mafia guy but we digress) was actually such a sweetheart and loved Ruby from the beginning.

Ruby had such a tragic story and she was fighting for herself this entire book. Her trauma was so well written yet it didn't feel like that was her entire personality. Preston royally messed up but the way he grovelled to win her love back made it all worth it.

Couldn't recommend this book more if you love a good "betrayal" storyline.

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

[Tiffany Ogden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a dark romance, so check the triggers. I loved how the story evolved even though there were some parts I found hard to get through. Ruby's uprising is a wonderful show of strength. Preston makes some bad choices but he tries to make up for it in the end. I love that he lets Ruby lead her own way. There were a few plot twists that I did not expect but I should have seen coming honestly. Altogether though, this book was perfect. Highly recommend this one and Vendetta.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

a jewel

Y’all. I need a minute. The sheer brutality and betrayal in this one… it goes deep. Ruby has been a pawn for everyone to use, even in her marriage. No matter how controlling, the heart wants what it wants. The monsters come out to play, and once again the payment is her blood. Redemption, spice, and a kingdom fit for a queen. As always, check your trigger warnings, and happy reading.

[C Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was by far way better than the first on the story line. This book had me on the edge of my seat there at the end. I will say, there is a part that had me questioning everything until it ended.
The thrill, the story, the way this book ends. I feel like we desperately need another book on how Ruby takes over!

[Mandy Brocklehurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I absolutely loved the MMC in this book from reading about him in book one. This book contains forced marriage, kidnapping, rape all the feels. It’s a roller coaster of emotions and it has a few twists and wtf moments. I could not put it down I needed to know what happened. Fark romance not fluffy.

[Kaitlyn Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was so much better than the first book!! There was more of a storyline as well as fantastic sex scenes. The lead-up with Ruby and introducing of Preston was what the first book was missing. There was give and take and I felt more mafia influences this time around.

[alisha jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was done so well.The mafia aspect of it just drew me in with all the lies deceit and the plot twist.
This book broke my heart and put it all back together in a short amount of time. I loved it 😍

[Ivy Blacke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Preston.... Ruby.....omfg.... I thought I loved Nico and Elira....I did, but I didn't expect to have that topped with these two characters. The twists the turns, the betrayals....

I am so stunned....speechless...and completely enraptured with the writing talent. Absolutely incredible.

[Amutha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I kinda disliked the heroine at first. But, then, once I get a glimpse of her past, I felt sorry for her. The hero was ok except he was a typical one. Knew the heroine had problems and yet he did not bother to investigate.

[lumi · Rating 1 out of 5]

dnf 64% in i just cant finish the book

[Sabihah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I used to eat up Mafia Romances. Decided to try one again. Bad idea.

This book was not it. I wasted time reading it.

Lot of inconsistencies and the flow was off.

[aya ♡]

i liked it it was kinda bland

[Penelope Bonney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! I love a love hate relationship that works out. And I love that he wanted to protect her

[valea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coercion
rating: ★ ★ ★ ★/5
spice level: 🌶️🌶️/5

💌 — tears were falling, loved and hated the characters at the same time and lastly butterflies were flying.

[Isabella Dube · Rating 5 out of 5]

love when a bitch learns her power and makes the powerful men kneel.

[Athena, the goddess of books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it much more than the first book. Ruby and Preston's story was far more interesting, and the twists and turns made it fantastic. The only downside is that it was a bit too long.

[Z.A.H.R.A · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love it. 😍
But It's the second book or the first? If you know tell me. 😭

[Amber-Rae Pittman · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 the plot was great but why you gotta break my heart with that betrayal 😥😥😥 poor ruby her whole life 😥

[Stephanie Curreri · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Kenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story was very lack luster to me. They fell in love, but I saw no depth. Also in what mafia world is a MAFIA PRINCESS AND WIFE of a second in command brutalized in their on home taken, and not once but twice did someone sneak in to get to her and sneak in a spy phone that no one saw?! The book also contained a lot of simple editing errors.