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Used For Leverage
When Zahara Kingsley asks for responsibility in the criminal underworld, she expects her father to start small. But he only sees one use for women and his daughter is no exception. Her initiation task is to seduce the only other man in Chicago that wields as much power as her father, the head of the Italian mafia. There's just one problem, she's a virgin with no experience with seduction and he's a powerful, suave older man that has his pick of women. Will his experience give him the upper hand or will she succeed in being the distraction her father hopes for on what she assumes is a quest for more power?
226 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2023
96 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 8, 2025
Misleading
This book was an absolute mess, leaving me nearly speechless with frustration. The storyline was nonsensical and completely disconnected from any sense of romance. If you’re looking for a compelling mafia romance, this is not it. The trend of writing mafia books without genuine romance needs to stop, especially when the trope is reduced to glorifying power without emotional depth.
It was particularly disturbing that the mafia father in this story showed no real care for his daughter, which even in fiction feels unrealistic. Forcing her to sleep with his best friend and then imprisoning her at home was appalling and made the plot even more difficult to stomach. Overall, this book fails both as a romance and as a believable mafia story.
This book was an absolute mess, leaving me nearly speechless with frustration. The storyline was nonsensical and completely disconnected from any sense of romance. If you’re looking for a compelling mafia romance, this is not it. The trend of writing mafia books without genuine romance needs to stop, especially when the trope is reduced to glorifying power without emotional depth.
It was particularly disturbing that the mafia father in this story showed no real care for his daughter, which even in fiction feels unrealistic. Forcing her to sleep with his best friend and then imprisoning her at home was appalling and made the plot even more difficult to stomach. Overall, this book fails both as a romance and as a believable mafia story.
January 9, 2024
I tried
I honestly don't know what to say about this book. 😕 I think it should be read to form your own opinion. I didn't hate it, and I didn't like it either. The female lead, who was 20 years old, was so childish and naive that I found no enjoyment when reading.
I honestly don't know what to say about this book. 😕 I think it should be read to form your own opinion. I didn't hate it, and I didn't like it either. The female lead, who was 20 years old, was so childish and naive that I found no enjoyment when reading.
September 10, 2025
enjoyed this read
Used for Leverage absolutely swept me off my feet.!! From the very first chapter, I was hooked and not just by the tension and intrigue, but by the emotional complexity woven into every interaction. Vaughn doesn’t just write characters; she crafts living, breathing souls who ache, scheme, love, and evolve in ways that feel startlingly real.
The romance? Electric. The stakes? Deliciously high. And the emotional payoff? Worth every twist and turn. I found myself rereading passages just to savor the dialogue, the chemistry, the raw vulnerability. Vaughn’s prose is sharp yet intimate, and the pacing kept me up way past bedtime (no regrets).
This book didn’t just entertain me but it made me feel seen. It reminded me why I love stories that blend grit with heart, strategy with longing. If you’re craving a romance that’s smart, sexy, and emotionally resonant.
Used for Leverage absolutely swept me off my feet.!! From the very first chapter, I was hooked and not just by the tension and intrigue, but by the emotional complexity woven into every interaction. Vaughn doesn’t just write characters; she crafts living, breathing souls who ache, scheme, love, and evolve in ways that feel startlingly real.
The romance? Electric. The stakes? Deliciously high. And the emotional payoff? Worth every twist and turn. I found myself rereading passages just to savor the dialogue, the chemistry, the raw vulnerability. Vaughn’s prose is sharp yet intimate, and the pacing kept me up way past bedtime (no regrets).
This book didn’t just entertain me but it made me feel seen. It reminded me why I love stories that blend grit with heart, strategy with longing. If you’re craving a romance that’s smart, sexy, and emotionally resonant.
August 11, 2025
Enjoyed …just a thought
Age gap all good in the theme of things. Not cool with how Dad behaved or how FMC remain still “daddy’s” girl and not dropping the hammer on dear Dad.
Nope family, friend, or foe don’t get to use you…..period. That was not the best way to handle his personal situation. Nope, Not, He’ll No
Carlo and Zar enjoyed their togetherness 👍🏽
Age gap all good in the theme of things. Not cool with how Dad behaved or how FMC remain still “daddy’s” girl and not dropping the hammer on dear Dad.
Nope family, friend, or foe don’t get to use you…..period. That was not the best way to handle his personal situation. Nope, Not, He’ll No
Carlo and Zar enjoyed their togetherness 👍🏽
September 9, 2025
This book was a refreshing take on intra-mafia relationships. Most mafia romances involve the heroine being kidnapped and later marrying the antagonist. This particular novel has a unique spin on the unification of mafia families that was a joy to read. Ainsley Vaughn offers unpredictable plot twists and turns, but has you forgiving characters that would usually be slaughtered in other mafia novels.
I thoroughly enjoyed this mafia HEA and would recommend it as an unusual but excellent read.
I thoroughly enjoyed this mafia HEA and would recommend it as an unusual but excellent read.
July 31, 2025
Epilogue!
It tells you something when the best part of this book was the epilogue. The storyline of a dying father wanting to ensure his legacy was great but the execution was poor as the story’s potential was so flawed in its presentation which was unfortunate. Take time to fully develop your main characters and shore up plot holes. Effectively communicate the core ideas of your story.
It tells you something when the best part of this book was the epilogue. The storyline of a dying father wanting to ensure his legacy was great but the execution was poor as the story’s potential was so flawed in its presentation which was unfortunate. Take time to fully develop your main characters and shore up plot holes. Effectively communicate the core ideas of your story.
July 23, 2025
Great read
Just what I needed. Loved the genuine love, and the plot was not predictable like so many other books. A really pleasant surprise.
Just what I needed. Loved the genuine love, and the plot was not predictable like so many other books. A really pleasant surprise.
October 20, 2025
Leverage
I enjoyed the heck out of this book. I thought the story line was really interesting. The characters were on point. There was a little twist to this story that had me on the edge of my seat. Toward the end, it became really sad. This was a great read, and I think you were love it as well.
I enjoyed the heck out of this book. I thought the story line was really interesting. The characters were on point. There was a little twist to this story that had me on the edge of my seat. Toward the end, it became really sad. This was a great read, and I think you were love it as well.
January 5, 2024
Smoking 🥵IR 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Mafia Romance
This is my 1st book ✍🏼by Ainsley Vaughan & she has a new fan🥳I 😍this smoking 🔥, uber 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🥵 mafia romance between Don Carlo & Zahara. I disliked the way her father manipulated her life ; thankfully, she found true love & happiness , while keeping her 2 rival families together , which is no easy feat in the cut throat , violent mafia world ! The author penned a turbo charged, fast paced story, with no dull moments & she brought action, drama , angst & Scoville level heat that will 🫠 your Kindle ! The epilogue was the chef’s 💋! Happy Reading🍷
This is my 1st book ✍🏼by Ainsley Vaughan & she has a new fan🥳I 😍this smoking 🔥, uber 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🥵 mafia romance between Don Carlo & Zahara. I disliked the way her father manipulated her life ; thankfully, she found true love & happiness , while keeping her 2 rival families together , which is no easy feat in the cut throat , violent mafia world ! The author penned a turbo charged, fast paced story, with no dull moments & she brought action, drama , angst & Scoville level heat that will 🫠 your Kindle ! The epilogue was the chef’s 💋! Happy Reading🍷
July 10, 2024
Another Great Read
This was so good, parents do know how to manipulate you. So of the things that Zahara father pulled she was mad and even quicker to forgive. I mean some of that was really crazy if one of my folks did that to me, let just say I would not have been to friendly about it. But it was good and everyone resolved there issues.
This was so good, parents do know how to manipulate you. So of the things that Zahara father pulled she was mad and even quicker to forgive. I mean some of that was really crazy if one of my folks did that to me, let just say I would not have been to friendly about it. But it was good and everyone resolved there issues.
December 18, 2023
Used for Leverage
Loved this storyline…Especially how it ended 🥰🥰🥰 I loved that her father lived for another 15 years and that they got married & had more kids 😘🥰
Loved this storyline…Especially how it ended 🥰🥰🥰 I loved that her father lived for another 15 years and that they got married & had more kids 😘🥰
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews