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When everyone already thinks you're a monster, it's easy to let that monster free...

Born to inherit the Kings' empire, my birthright was stolen by my ruthless younger brother upon Papà’s death. Tired of lurking in his shadow, the upcoming war offers the perfect opportunity for me to seize back my throne.

That's when Rose storms into my life—a wild, unpredictable force of nature, a tantalizing distraction I can't afford but can't resist. She was meant to be nothing more than a fling, a fleeting escape from the dark world I inhabit.

But when my enemies cross the line and dare to lay their hands on her, all bets are off.

Unleashing the monster I keep buried deep inside, I'll stop at nothing to protect what's mine. Because in a world that's branded me a villain, there's no reason not to embrace the darkness.

Savage King is the second sinful story in the blazing hot Kings of Temptation series. Each book is a standalone novel complete with a HEA, of course, because even villains deserve a happy ending. Please note: this is a dark romance novel with scenes that may be triggering and sexually explicit in nature.

364 pages, Paperback

Published December 3, 2023

1127 people are currently reading
1335 people want to read

About the author

Sienna Cross

9 books346 followers
Sienna Cross was kidnapped by mobsters, saved by her super-hot step-brother, then forced into an arranged marriage with a billionaire. From there, things got really interesting… She loves to write about dark, morally-gray alpha males and the captivating women that bring them to their knees. For all the inside info, join Sienna Cross’s Heartbreakers on Facebook, like her page, and follow her on Instagram and Tiktok. She has a thing for stalkers ;)

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
Profile Image for Noa.
554 reviews812 followers
December 5, 2023
"Once you set a monster free, there's no getting him back into his cage."

Dante Valentino was born to be the heir to the Kings' empire.
But his younger brother took that throne and he has been living in the shadows ever since.
While he was mad at it before, he will do anything and everything to protect his family.
Even taking control of the Kings.
But one thing he did not count on was his brother's wife's best friend.
The bubbly, insane woman known as Rose Holloway.
So when Dante is tasked with protecting her, he will do everything and anything to make sure she's safe.
Whether Rose wants him to or not.

"No one touches what's mine and lives."

Rose Holloway is a psychology student at NYU.
Rose Holloway also has a dark past.
But she has put everything behind her and buried the past.
At least from her side.
So when she finds out that Dante Valentino is tasked with "protecting her", she is less than thrilled.
After one night, she promised herself that she will never let herself be made a fool by Dante Valentino.
But when Rose's past comes back to haunt her, he might be the only person who can help.

"That violence, that darkness, it calls to me."

I received an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

💫 4.75 stars💫

"And like all things forbidden, it only makes him that much more tempting."

Rose Holloway gave Dante one chance and he blew it. Since then she promised herself he is not getting another. But what happens when Rose's past comes back to track her down and Dante is the only one who can help? They both think they know how this is going to play out.
They have no idea what's in store for them.

"Oh, Rosa. You have no idea what you're in for."

Rose and Dante have my soul people.
Sienna Cross thank you so much for this book because I somehow feel fuzzy and violated and we love that.

"Whether Rose likes it or not, she's mine. Mine to protect, mine to tease, mine to ruin."

First, we have Rose Holloway. A badass psych student who does not let her past define her. Rosa has a very tragic past, legit tears were shed people. But she does not let that past define her life. But sometimes the past comes back to haunt you no matter how much you push it away. With her best friend and her Mafia capo husband far away, the only person she can turn to is Dante. The man she swore she would never give a chance again. Rose was amazing!! I am legit obsessed with her and her attitude! I mean she stood by her word… for a while at least…

"Mark my words, I will make you go back on your vow, Rosa. In fact, I'll make you beg for it."

"Not in this lifetime, Dante Valentino."


And we have Dante Valentino. Possessive, Mafioso, morally grey Dante. Sometimes it is hard to write an Italian mafia morally grey MMC that stands out but Dante somehow does just that!! The things he says, the way he is OBSESSED, the "burn the world" mentality we stan it and we are here for it and I gobbled it all up. Call me a turkey on thanksgiving because GOBBLE GOBBLE GOBBLE (yes you read that correctly and I am not apologizing). Dante was everything we expect and he performed excellently thank you very much!

"It's probably for the best then, I would've ruined you for any other man."

Playlist is mafia dark vibes and we love that 🖤🖤

(Link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1B6...)

🎶 "Holding Out For A Hero" - Nothing But Thieves
🎶 "My Way" - Seth MacFarlane
🎶 "Devil Saint" - Luma, Yuppycult
🎶 "Blood On A Rose" - Everybody Loves An Outlaw
🎶 "Flip A Switch" - RAYE
🎶 "Morally Grey" - April Jai
🎶 "get him back!" - Olivia Rodrigo
🎶 "Fat Funny Friend" - Maddie Zahm
🎶 "I Want To" - Rosenfeld
🎶 "Psycho" - Taylor Acorn
🎶 "Not All Men" - Morgan St. Jean
🎶 "nameless" - Stevie Howie
🎶 "Partition" - Beyonce
🎶 "Lion" - Saint Mesa
🎶 "pretty little psycho" - finit hic deo
🎶 "engravings" - Ethan Bortnick
🎶 "Dirty Mind" - Boy Epic
🎶 "I'm A Mess" - Bebe Rexha
🎶 "Streets - Sillouette Remix" - Doja Cat
🎶 "older sped up" - Isabel LaRosa
🎶 "Sway With Me" - Saweetie, GALXARA
🎶 "Waste My Time" - Essosa
🎶 "Ruin My Life" - Zara Larsson
🎶 "Know No" - CHINCHILLA
🎶 "Late Night Talking" - Harry Styles
🎶 "Wrap Me Up" - Jimmy Fallon, Meghan Trainor
🎶 "Cut You Off" - CHINCHILLA
🎶 "Gangsta - Harley Quinn & Joker Flashback Version" - Kehlani
🎶 "RUNRUNRUN" - Dutch Melrose
🎶 "salvation" - Christabelle Marbun
🎶 "Bite Me" - Avril Lavigne
🎶 "Like A God" - Lia Maria Johnson
🎶 "Savage" - Bahri
🎶 "Love Is The Devil" - Natalie Jane
🎶 "Boyfriend" - Mabel
🎶 "ever fallen?" - Kate Peytavin
🎶 "greedy sped up" - Tate McRae
🎶 "Le Monde" - Richard Carter
🎶 "Shut Up" - Black Eyed Peas
🎶 "Heaven" - Julia Michaels
🎶 "Pony" - far
🎶 "29" - Demi Lovato
🎶 "goosebumps" - Travis Scott
🎶 "Solita" - PRETTYMUCH, Rich The Kid
🎶 "Judas" - Lady Gaga
🎶 "Die For You - Remix" - The Weeknd, Ariana Grande
🎶 "Venom" - Eminem
🎶 "fOoL fOr YoU" - ZAYN


And Dante Dante Dante… Trust me you want to read this book for the dirty talk alone… 🥵🥵

"Now spread your legs wide for me like a good girl."

"Not yet, sweetheart. You'll come when I tell you."

"Then hide. If I find you, I will fuck you… Oh, Rosa, when I find you, I am going to devour you."

🎄 Tropes 🎄

🍓 Enemies to Lovers
🍓 Hate to Love
🍓 Badass FMC
🍓 Morally Grey/Possessive MMC
🍓 Grumpy x Sunshine
🍓 Mafia Romance
🍓 Forced Proximity
🍓 Slow Burn
🍓 "Who did this to you?"
🍓 Touch her and die

https://www.instagram.com/p/C0CVpZfos...
Profile Image for iremucka.
317 reviews17 followers
June 16, 2025
Kötü yazılmış kitap yoktur az Dante vardır hehe 😅️️️️

İlk kitaptaki kötü Dantemizin karakter gelişimi bu tarz bir kitaptan beklemediğim kadar iyiydi, şen şakrak Rose ' u okurken kitabın yarısına kadar çok eğlendim iç sesi çok komikti. Kendini geliştirmeye çalışırken telkinleri iradesizliği falan süperdi. 2 ileri 1 geri

Bunun yanında kitap slow burn?! Yine hazırlıksız yakalandım. Sevdim ya ben bu kitabı da 3. kitabı da merak ettirdi, bi Michelle Heard değil ama yoklukta gideri var.

Profile Image for Mia S..
544 reviews38 followers
March 25, 2025
Cliffhanger…

The story of the couple resolves itself, but the trouble with the company is still up in the air! Enemies to Lovers, and was a good story but I think it could’ve delve so much more into the original villain story line (uncle) and also the ex??? So many questions. This one was ok….
Profile Image for SGetch.
291 reviews79 followers
December 11, 2023
Sienna Cross' Savage King picks up the story a few months after the events of the first book,
Ruthless King . It delves into the tumultuous romance between Dante Valentino and Rose Holloway, exploring their complex pasts and the challenges they must overcome to gain their happy ending.

29-year-old Dante is trying to make up for his past mistakes. When his brother, Luca, and his future sister-in-law, Stella, are threatened, he takes control of King Industries and insists they go into hiding. Along with his new business responsibilities, he is also tasked with watching over Stella's best friend, Rose, a 22-year-old spirited young woman who is equally as brash and impulsive as Dante.

Rose has her own set of problems to contend with. After dating a patient from the psychology practice where she interns, she finds herself being stalked by him. Rose is left with no one to turn to except Dante, as her friend Stella is gone and she is estranged from her family. As their worlds collide, their tension intensifies, and they eventually give in to their mutual longing.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Rose and Dante's journey. They are perfectly suited for each other despite their faults. Together, they help one another confront their inner demons and find solace in their connection. Their relationship develops at a good pace, and the writing flows well. The plot is thrilling and well-crafted. I'm eagerly awaiting the next book in this dark and edgy series, and thanks to the epilogue, we know it will revolve around Maisy and Nico Rossi.

📌 Tropes: grumpy/sunshine, heroine in danger, forced proximity, morally gray alpha male, sex-positive FMC, "who hurt you" vibes

📚 A standalone novel within an interconnected series with a HEA + Epilogue
👥 Dual POV

⚠️ Content Spoilers:
💋 Safety Spoilers:

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Micronova.
221 reviews55 followers
November 28, 2023
Savage King, book two of the Kings of Temptation series-
My rating is 4 stars.

This mafia romance can be read as a standalone but there is some crossover from the first book. I recommend reading the series in order for the best reader experience.

After the first book, Ruthless King, I didn’t really care for Dante much. This book picks up where we were left from book one and I was immediately angry with Dante. The first chapter had me convinced that he was pulling something shady with Luca and Stella!!

After Luca and Stella leave on their trip, Dante is left to run the show and promises to look after Rose, Stella’s best friend. Rose has been having some issues with her ex stalking her. So, Dante is not only running King Enterprises and dealing with The Red Dragons, he’s also trying to make sure Rose is safe. What a whirlwind of an adventure these two end up on…

The plot was strong and it flowed pretty seamlessly throughout the entire book. I liked that the mystery of who was really stalking Rose was front and center and those plot twists! I never saw them coming. I loved the dynamic between Rose and Dante. They’ve always had flirtatious chemistry and their forced proximity situation really allowed for the sparks to fly! Rose is such a little spitfire and leave it to her to bring Dante to his knees. I liked watching the evolution of their relationship, Dante really makes some huge strides in his personal development. Who knew he’d make such a devoted, loyal partner? And whew!!! The intimacy and spice with these two!! After that cliffhanger, I’m left with even more questions…

Overall, this was a pretty good mafia romance, giving us mystery, spice, action and Rose and Dante end up with quite the love story. I ended up actually liking Dante instead of despising him like I did in the first book. There’s a lot to look forward to in the next book with Nico and Maisy, Luca and Stella returning and what the future looks like for Dante and Rose!

I received an advance reader copy and am leaving my review voluntarily.



Profile Image for Sissy's Romance Book Review .
8,992 reviews16 followers
December 5, 2023
Savage King by Sienna Cross is book Two in the Kings of Temptation Series. This is the story of Dante Valentino and Rose Holloway. This is a interconnecting series so it does add to your enjoyment if you have read the previous book. Rose is Stella's best friend so they are very close. Luca is Dante's brother who is running everything while Luca and Stella are away. So beside dealing with all of the business side he is asked to look after Stella. Stella is having some issue from her past that are coming back to haunt her. Enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more from this series and author.

Profile Image for Katie Murphy.
1,013 reviews97 followers
November 23, 2023
✨ARC Review✨

I thought Luca and Stella were my favourite but after reading Dante and Rose, they have my heart 😩

Since we got a brief sneak in the Ruthless King epilogue of Dante scaring off a man who stalked Rose, I needed to read their story and let me say it did not disappoint.

I loved Rose, she is a woman who knew what she wanted and didn’t stop till she got it. She definitely kept Dante on his toes for a lot of this book💅 Dante, what can I say he is your OTT alpha male with an absolute filthy mouth👀

The couples chemistry is explosive, and the spicy scenes are just that DAMN RIGHT SPICY🌶️

This book will keep you on the edge of your seat especially the last few chapters. I love how we get an insight into who the next couple will be and I won’t be saying who it is because you know got to keep the review spoiler free👀 anywho, from that brief insight I am already dying to read their story!!!

Tropes:
- Mafia Romance
- Age Gap
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- OTT/Alpha MMC

I look forward to reading more of this authors work in the near future. Thank you to the author & greys promotions who provided this e-arc for my honest thoughts✨
Profile Image for Sarah.
585 reviews26 followers
November 26, 2023
I was intrigued by Dante after meeting him in book one and I needed to know more. This gave us the answers and so much more. I went into this not liking Dante whatsoever, however the more I read the more I loved him. He gave up his birthright for reasons nobody knew, but when danger comes to their door he steps up to protect his family. But what’s even more dangerous are the feelings he’s developing for his sister-in-laws best friend.

There was so much suspense and action that kept me completely invested, then the twist I didn’t see coming. I had some guesses on what was happening but was wrong at every turn.

Rose was such a strong fmc and I loved how she knew what she wanted and went after it. She wasn’t afraid to give it back to Dante and kept him on his toes which I enjoyed. There is so much tension and angst between them, coming to a head when he finally gives in. The way he melts for her and became completely obsessed was everything 🥹

As much as this didn’t have a cliffhanger per se, it did end with one of the subplots unanswered and lead it up for it to continue in the next book. Along with who the next couple will be. I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes next. This book does handle some sensitive topics, please check triggers before reading 🫶
Profile Image for Erin Lewis.
6,194 reviews220 followers
March 6, 2024
4 Star Review Savage King by Sienna Cross

Audio Review:

This story will keep you on the edge of your seat whilst reading or listening. The narration by Thor Thom and Fiona Claire was spot on. Their voices are easy to listen to and diverse and they did justice to the story that new to me author Sienna Cross wove. Told in duet narration this added to my enjoyment as I listened. Both Thor and Fiona brought all the passion and danger to their performances and held me captive.

There was a lot going on in Savage King. I am not a huge reader of Mafia romance, it is not a genre that I read very often. This is a story of danger, suspense and love and ticked it numerous boxes for me.

Dante, the oldest son was groomed to take over his fathers’ empire until his younger brother cut him out, now he is back and ready to claim what is rightfully his. A one-night stand with Rose was meant to be just that, but things change.

Full of twists and turns and some surprises I did not see coming this book will keep you invested from the first to the last word.
Profile Image for Francisca Moreira.
102 reviews
August 21, 2024
Really solid story 4⭐️
The spice was really nice but what really sold the story was the way the MMC fell for the FMC (the moment he realized he was in love was adorable). I also really enjoyed the detail where he disliked to call his ex a nickname and only did it to please her but with Rose he calls her sweetheart without second thoughts.
The only thing I wasn’t really a big fan of was that the politics in the book were a little confusing to me. Still, I’m now interested to see what is going to happen in the next one (Nico seems interesting). I also wanted to see Lucas reaction to discovering that D is in love with Rose, and maybe a wedding epilogue.
23 reviews
July 22, 2024
I was expecting a little bit more to be honest. It was a good book, but it just didn't meet my expectations.
Profile Image for Daniela Tavares.
879 reviews44 followers
December 31, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/6.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5.

I had a lot of ups and downs with this book but ultimately Dante won me over in the second half of it.
Firstly I must ask why the heck is Caroline back... Just why. I feel like it wasn't really relevant to the story since the fallout of chucking her to the side hasn't happened yet (or we haven't seen it yet) and it was supposed to happen in Ruthless King but I guess she contented herself with Dante so it didn't then but what about now. I don't get why she behaves like she does and I obviously didn't liked her before and I didn't this time either. Her story might be an interesting one but alas I ain't happy with her right now.

Secondly, I didn't love the fact that Dante was supposedly dating Caroline but lusting and being touchy with Rose. Like just send her packing before doing that which he later did but imo it was a bit too late. I wasn't enjoying Dante in the first half of the story because of this but also there was also the fact of what he did in Ruthless King so all of this didn't help my opinion of him however he did turn things around in the second half. Once he had his chance with Rose (again), he jumped on it and didn't let go which honestly I was afraid he would but he didn't.

I liked Dante & Rose together. They were definitely explosive together but also obsessed with each other. I loved learning more about Dante but also seeing him turn a page so to speak just by being with Rose. I loved seeing him fall in love.
Dante could've been more on top of things once he took the throne but I guess I'm cool with it since he mocked his brother for only seeing his soon to be wife and being more diplomatic and he became the same.

The stalker thing was kinda smart. At first I wasn't seeing where it was going but once you know, it makes sense. I already know he's gonna come back for book 3 full force and I wonder if he's gonna ally with another person and what his role is going to be.
This gemini guy was a surprise but something was fishy from the get go so not totally a surprise however I'm very intrigued.
I'm not sure about Maisy & him together though but I guess we'll see how it goes. I'm excited to learn more about him, that's for sure.

* I read an arc of this book. *
Profile Image for annette k.
1,214 reviews7 followers
May 1, 2024
Wild ride

Dante never wants to love because it makes men weak. Then he meets the little firecracker Rose. Shes everything he's never wanted, yet he can't live without.
Profile Image for Amie.
991 reviews37 followers
December 18, 2023
Thank you to Valentine PR for an advance copy of Savage King.
This is the second in the Kings of Temptation series. The books are standalone in an interconnected series but best read in order.

The most ruthless man in New York City has gone soft, and now it’s time for me to step in.

Dante was supposed to be the leader of the Kings when his father passed away, however his brother Luca wound up in charge with Dante being the silent enforcer in the background. Luca was better at the business anyway. Until one day Luca and his fiance, Stella, are called away and Dante is forced to step up. He would do anything to protect the family name and the empire his brother has been successfully running, but what he did not anticipate was Rose. Rose is Stella’s best friend so keeping an eye on her now falls under family affairs.

Rose is not pleased with this plan. She’s independent and while attracted to Dante, is not interested in being a charity case for him. Despite several flirtatious comments between them things have remained PG. However when Rose is left with nowhere to go on Christmas Eve and winds up staying at Dante’s they are forced to confront their unspoken attraction. Now making sure that Rose is safe is of utmost importance to Dante…unfortunately being something important to Dante only amplifies the amount of danger that Rose could be in.

I’m falling for Dante, and I’m going to enjoy every last minute as he drags me to hell.

If you read Ruthless King then you had previously met these characters and probably weren’t too crazy about either of them - at least I wasn’t. Dante was on the verge of being an unforgivable character and Rose just felt very vapid. Fortunately I did not feel this way upon getting to know them better in Savage King.

This plot moves and moves fast. It’s quick while remaining suspenseful and keeping readers in the dark as to what could happen. It’s fully developed and I didn’t feel like I was missing pieces.

I loved the dual POV so we get inner thoughts for both of our main characters. Rose is so much stronger than I first anticipated her to be and Dante so much more caring. Even though we haven’t seen much of Dante and Luca interacting together throughout these two books I was able to get a sense for Dante caring about the success of both the crime family and his own blood. It was really cool getting a look at their lives outside of New York, the crime family, and the current and seeing glimpses of their pasts and their families and why they are the way they are.

I was curious as to where the next book was going to take us when I went into this one because I’d assumed it would be at least a trilogy but couldn’t figure out who we could possibly be getting as I read on, however I really enjoyed how that came together and where Sienna’s going to take us from here. I’m hoping for more insight into Dante & Luca’s relationship, as well as watching them tackle the bomb that was dropped in the final act.
Profile Image for tea.
2 reviews
April 18, 2024
I absolutely hated this book (mainly because of the attempt to redeem a r*pist *I know technically he didn’t do it and that he was just trying do intimidate de FC but it was still disgusting to read*). He touched a women without her consent and that is a big no to me! I cannot overlook the fact that Dante is a piece of s*
343 reviews
December 5, 2023
They kept saying Dante had a history with the fmcs best friend. Went back to the previous book to find out what it was since I dnf. He was going to rape her. Yh absolutely not reading this about this piece of shit.
Profile Image for Enni (on hiatus) ✨.
398 reviews35 followers
December 5, 2023
“I told you back then I was no one’s hero, sweetheart, and I meant it. I’m not cut out for this knight in shining armor shit.”
“For someone who’s so reluctant, you’re doing a damn good job.”
“If I was doing such a damned good job, that asshole would be six feet under by now, and you’d be safe back in your own cozy, little studio. Far away from me, and all this shit.”
“What if I don’t want to be far away from you?” “Then you’re far more stupid than I thought, sweetheart.”


I knew Dante's book would be interesting but I could not even imagine how it would pan out!

To begin with, I have to confess I preferred Luca over Dante and Ruthless King over Savage King. That's not to say I did not enjoy Savage King though.

The main characters in Savage King, Dante and Rose, were familiar from Ruthless King with Dante being Luca's brother and Rose being Stella's best friend. This book actually had some best friend's brother vibes even though Stella and Dante were not related by blood (or by marriage yet).

The bathroom door barely closes before he drops his towel, and I get an eyeful of his perfect ass.
Too bad he is one.


In the beginning of the book Dante and Rose almost hook up. When Dante gets an urgent text and is forced to leave, Rose says he will never get another chance. He says she will beg for it. I love how they were both able to hold their ground for a reasonable time instead of going back on their word immediately - because we all knew it would happen eventually.

Whether Rose likes it or not, she’s mine. Mine to protect, mine to tease, mine to ruin.

Rose was a bit of a contradiction to me. On one hand, I really liked how witty she was and how she did not want to take any shit from anyone. On the other hand, she was just way too stupid at times and too proud for her own good. I would even go as far as to say the saying "Pride comes before a fall" actually fit her.

I hated how Rose let her pride affect her life in a negative way. Take, for example, her not wanting to go to her father's house for Christmas. When Dante asked her if she had anywhere to go, she lied and said yes. Instead of just immediately staying with Dante (or even asking to stay in Stella and Luca's penthouse), she first goes to stay for a night with a new friend and after that she tries to stay the night at her workplace. If she'd just swallowed her pride, she would've immediately been where she ended up at: Dante's place.

A normal person would be terrified or at least pissed at his caveman attitude. Me? I’m fucking wetter than when he threatened to spank me.

Dante was one of those slightly morally grey MMC's that you cannot help but love. Except for when he is being a blind idiot haha but you know, that's just men. Dante was possessive, ruthless and hotheaded which, in my mind, makes him a typical Italian mafia guy.

Dante was also constantly hot for Rose and liked to take charge which was definitely visible in the spicy scenes! Although, in my opinion, the spicy scenes were a bit bland since they were kind of short and could have been elaborated on more. But, especially in the latter half of the book, there was some good spice which I think many would actually consider really spicy.

I don’t think I’ll ever understand this man.
But he was right about one thing, he would ruin me for anyone else.
And I couldn’t be more excited for the devastation.


This book actually had quite a lot going on plot-wise. There was, of course, the relationship between Dante and Rose. Then the whole continued rivalry with the Chinese from Ruthless King. Rose also had her own stalker. Last but not least, a competing corporation entered the picture.

There were actually quite a few hints in the book about what was coming later on in the book plot-wise but most of the events surprised me. I quickly understood which characters (or entities) would be involved but not what role they would have in the plot. The plot definitely kept the book interesting even if I was at times hating on how stupid Rose was acting and how blind Dante was. Both of which led to some of the biggest plot twists.

I’m too far gone already. I can try to fool myself all I want, but I’m falling for the savage King.

This book had a hea but some of the plot actually continues on to the next book. I was not a big fan of this but considering who I think will be the MMC of the next book, I understand the necessity.

At first, I thought Maisy would be an evil character but I was happy to be proven wrong with what happened to her! However, she proved out to be quite an interesting character and based on the epilogue, next book will be about Nico and Maisy. Based on the small glimpses we saw into Nico, I can safely say it will be an interesting one for sure! Nico seems like he is the best kind of cross between Dante and Luca. And maybe (hopefully) even more morally grey, domineering and possessive MMC than Dante. Here's to hoping!

I received an ARC of Savage King in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Brownshugar.
386 reviews1 follower
September 15, 2024
Dante & Rose
I eagerly devoured the second installment in the Kings of Temptation series, and it did not disappoint! Dante and Rose, secondary characters in the previous book, take center stage in a captivating tale of redemption, love, and self-discovery.
Dante, haunted by past mistakes, seeks forgiveness by protecting his loved ones and taking over King Industries. His mission to watch over Rose, his future sister-in-law's best friend, reignites their spark. However, their heated encounters and past misunderstandings threaten to derail their connection.
Rose, a fierce psych student, refuses to let her traumatic past define her. When her workplace date turns into a stalker, she's forced to turn to Dante, the one person she vowed never to trust again.
Their journey is a masterful exploration of inner struggles, personal growth, and the power of love. I adored Rose's unapologetic spirit, Dante's protective instincts, and the way they found solace in each other.
The storyline is brilliant, with unexpected twists and a cliffhanger that left me on edge. I'm eagerly anticipating the next book in the series!
*Rating:* 5/5 stars
*Recommendation:* If you enjoy complex characters, steamy romance, and a healthy dose of drama, this series is a must-read!
What You'd Find
👑Dark Mafia Romance
👑Grumpy Sunshine
👑Stalker
👑Forced Proximity
👑Frenemies to Lovers
👑OTT Protective Possessive MMC
👑Badass FMC
👑Slow Burn
👑Touch Her You ☠️
Favorite Quote/Scene 👑I can try to fool myself all I want, but I’m falling for the savage King.
👑“Because once I claim you as mine, I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to let you go. You’ve done something to me, sweetheart. When I’m around you, I can’t tell my head from my ass. Self-control has never really been my thing, and once you let me loose, there’s no going back. Do you understand that, Rosa?”
👑“You’ve unleashed the monster, and I warned you what would happen after that. You’re stuck with me now, sweetheart. You’re the sweetest drug I’ve ever tasted, and I’m already completely addicted. No one will take you away from me. No one.”
👑“I love you, Rosa, but this thing between us terrifies me. Not because of me or you, but because of all the shit around us. I know I’m going to fuck this up at some point because that’s just what I do. And I need you to promise you’ll never give up on me, okay? Because before you there was only darkness, and now that I’ve had a taste of your light, I’d never survive the void again.”
👑“I warned you I was no hero, sweetheart, no knight in shining armor. I may not spout out pretty words or poetry, but I’ll love you the only way I know how, with all the fire in my dark soul. I’ll fuck you hard and often, and I’ll probably piss you off with my possessiveness even more, but I’ll protect you until my dying breath. You’ll be mine forever.”
👑“You are my queen, Rosa, you are my everything.”
112 reviews
January 3, 2024
This is book 2 in the series. The books are standalone stories but are best read in order. I enjoyed book 1 and was very excited about the next book in the series and I have to say I wasn’t disappointed. The character had been introduced in book 1 but are now getting to tell their own story. I was excited to hear that Stella and Luca from book 1 did get to make some appearances as well in this story.
Rosa is Stella’s best friend which is how we are introduced to her in book 1. She is a fun and bubbly girl who just doesn’t seem to know how to date a decent guy. As a psych major she is working with a Dr. to get some experience in her field but that also opens her up to meeting a whole bunch of crazy people. And well it seems like crazy is all that Rose can afford right now. When one of her ex-boyfriends becomes a crazy stalker and breaks into her place she calls the only person she can think of at this moment Dante - older brother of Luca, her best friend's fiance. Not that Rose thinks Dante would ever help her but for some reason he steps up to the task and not only that he gets all broody and dangerous just the way Rose likes her man. Can she stay strong and stay away from him or is she going to fall yet again for another indecent guy?

Dante is Luca’s older brother and the true heir to the mafia throne. He is savage, ruthless, and a true monster. After losing the empire to his little brother Dante has finally had enough, a war is on the rise and his brother is not up for the task, time to step up and take over what should have been his from the beginning. But is anything in life ever easy and especially when it comes to taking over an empire. The one thing Dante did not think would be a problem was Rose, yes he lamely told his brother’s fiance he would keep an eye on her but really did that mean she would need him - it’s just something you say, right? Dante doesn’t do the girlfriend thing that is too much of a hassle so a little fun with Rose sure he can handle but who said he was done having fun with her yet when someone all of a sudden puts their hands on her. Never take a monster's toy.

This second installment was an exciting read with some twists that I didn't see coming. I truly enjoyed the easy way the book was written which made it a great joy to read. The characters drew me in and I was cheering them on as I followed their story. Now I have to anxiously await book 3 as I am curious what Sienna Cross will have in mind for that story.

Profile Image for Janine - The World Was Hers for the Reading.
1,495 reviews26 followers
December 7, 2023
Dante Valentino denied his birthright after his father’s death. But, when his brother Luca and his new fiance have hits put on them by a rival organization, Dante sees his way to reclaiming his throne while also keeping his brother safe.

He’s not meant for feelings or relationships. He’s dark and brutal and willing to start a war and kill to get what he wants. But, when he decides he wants Rose, he isn’t sure how to handle all of the things that come with it.

Rose knows she shouldn’t want her best friend’s soon to be brother in law . . .but, she can’t help it. When he leaves her high and dry, however, she swears he won’t get another chance at her. But, everything changes when she has a stalker that is making serious threats and Dante is the only person able to protect her.

But is a stalker the only person after Rose? With a mysterious new player in town threatening the King’s organization along with the Chinese Red Dragons, the threat isn’t as clear as it should be and Dante’s unwilling to take a chance with the life of the person he is finding he can't live without.

Let me start by saying Dante Valentino is one super sexy, dirty talking, Italian mafia don! The things that drip from his mouth that shouldn’t . . . His over the top possessiveness and fiery temper pushing him to act before he thinks only serve to make him sexier. Underneath, however, he truly cares about his brother and fiance as well as Rose, and it was really fun watching him have to come to terms with the fact that he has feelings.

Rose was the perfect woman for Dante. She has a bit of darkness to her as well from past events and she isn’t scared of him. She’s feisty and independent and is no wall flower. She keeps Dante on his toes, challenging him at his every command and brings out his humanity.

This plot is fast moving and intense. I mean, Dante is super intense, so hold onto your hats! We also get to meet the heroine of the next book, and I am already in love with her and completely intrigued by the twist tossed in there by Sienna Cross that will be carried over to the next couple in the series (no worries, not a cliffhanger, but color me intrigued!)! 4 stars for Dante and Rose . . . I hope they heat up your kindle as much as they heated up mine!
Profile Image for Mercedes.
53 reviews4 followers
December 3, 2023
Savage King is book 2 in the Kings of Temptation series - Mafia Romance at its finest!

5stars
4spice

Tropes:
1. Forced Proximity
2. Redemption
3. Grumpy Sunshine
4. Slow Burn

We return with to this deliciously spicy series with the black sheep of the family Dante.

Dante was supposed to be the heir to Kings Enterprise but when his papa dies he refuses to take over, leaving his little brother Luca to take control as CEO and leader to the Kings. When an enemy puts a bounty on his brother and future sister in laws head, Dante will do whatever it takes to keep them safe. Dante ships off his brother and fiancé into hiding and takes over as CEO while he hunts down his rivals to ensure his family's safety. Trying to keep focused on the tasks at hand (running Kings enterprise, killing his enemies) shouldn't have been so hard if it wasn't for a certain distraction. Not only did he temporarily inherit Kings but also Rose, his future sister in laws best friend. The same best friend he walked out on and left half naked in his bedroom.

Rose comes from a sad and traumatic past that has gotten her into some trouble in her present. Currently dealing with a stalker ex, Rose is left alone when her best friend Stella and her fiancé went on an unexpected vacation. Coming home from work she notices someone has broken into her apartment. Terrified and with no where to go, she calls the only person she can think of... Dante.
He embarrassed her when he walked out on her and now her safety is in his hands. The very sight of him has her skin on fire and now she's supposed to be living with him. What could possibly go wrong?

Now having to share his space, will Dante be able to keep up with his inherited responsibilities and keep his very sexy and tempting new roommate safe? Not only are they at war with the lustful feelings they have for each other but now it seems like they have enemies coming out from the shadows left and right.


This series is just chefs kiss!
From the plot to the jaw-dropping twist, Sienna does an amazing job at keeping you so invested in what is going to happen to our beloved characters. I cannot wait to see what happens in book 3!
Profile Image for A.BookNerd.Bookseller&Bibliophile.Blog.
2,787 reviews107 followers
December 5, 2023
"Before you there was only darkness, and now that I’ve had a taste of your light, I’d never survive the void again.”

Savage King is the second book in the Kings of Temptation series, and it is hotter than the first! I'm talking spicy from the get-go. We get a steamy little preview early in chapter 2 of what is to come, as our main characters Rose and Dante go from hate to love in this mafia romance!

Rose is the best friend of Stella, the main female character in the first book, Ruthless King, with Dante being the brother of Stella's love interest Luca. So they're already thrown together on multiple occasions, and it becomes obvious quickly that their attraction is undeniable.

After a failed hookup, though, Rose swears that Dante won't get another chance with her. You can't help but cheer the girl on, because Rose is a take-no-bs type of woman and that made her a really fun character to read. But Dante isn't without his own struggles, mainly having to take over the King empire (both the legitimate and illegitimate parts!) to protect his brother and future sister-in-law from their enemies. Thrust into a position he never wanted, Dante finds himself also responsible for looking after Rose, who ends up in danger and needing Dante's protection.

Forced proximity makes the chemistry between these two IGNITE. It's not quite a slow burn, more like a steady fire that explodes once they fully give in to wanting each other. The way they tease each other makes a constant level of spice, but the plot is thrilling as well.

I love a possessive anti-hero, especially in a mafia romance, so Dante's "who did this to you?" and "I'll *unalive* anyone who threatens what's mine" (aka, Rose is his!) was exactly what I wanted from this book. These two each have their struggles, their darkness as they call it, and their passion calls to each other in a really profound way. The epilogue hinted at a 3rd book which I am absolutely going to read!
~Kelsey💜
Profile Image for Sara Books & Tips.
236 reviews15 followers
December 7, 2023
After Ruthless King, in Savage King we have a slight change of direction... two characters that I learned to love in the first volume: a friend that we would all have and a grumpy but tender-hearted brother. Who are we talking about? But, of course them, Rose and Dante!

"𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒃𝒊𝒅𝒅𝒆𝒏, 𝒊𝒕 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒔 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈."

As in any respecting dark romance, each character has a significant background, a past that has marked them in some way, and the two are no different. If for Dante things are a little lighter, he still had to fight with a very strong feeling, jealousy, while for Rose it's a completely different matter, and it's much more complicated to talk about it.
Despite everything, she circles around Dante, attracted to him in a way that has never happened to her before, and she makes no secret of it to her best friend... who however orders her to stay away from him. Will she do it? Obviously not, but then, not even Dante can resist Rose's call, and everything will be made more difficult by his new task of protecting her, especially when her past comes back in full force to knock on her door.

This is the story of two characters who know what they want but who don't know how to move or how to manage their emotions, but together they will take the first steps in the right direction, even if there will be missteps. After all, I believe that these mistakes are evidence that they too are beautifully humans and they will learn from them as they grow and mature.

Basically, I can say that I loved every character, but a special mention absolutely goes to Dante. You can't help but love the way he literally fell head over heels for Rose, how he changed for her (but only in the best sense of the term) or what he is willing to do for her, to protect her... In short, I would like a Dante all for me, thank you!
Profile Image for Janiece Dasilva.
209 reviews14 followers
December 2, 2023
✨Arc Review✨
Savage King
By Sierra Cross
✨Releasing December 5th✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Badass FMC, Morally Grey/ possessive MMC, grumpy sunshine, forced proximity, mafia romance, slow burn, touch her and 💀, who did this to you?

First off I want to thank Sierra and Greys Promo for the Arc opportunity in exchange for an honest review!!

I did not think I could love anyone as much as or more than Luca, but then came Dante in his book and stole my heart!! In book one of this series, I hated Dante. He was the villian in my opinion (he did a horrendous thing) but this book was his redemption arc and Sierra did him right.

He was so different in this book, he was a monster still but he wants heinous. He would do everything to protect his family. He is so guilty for what he did. When Rose entered his life he was instantly enamored by her, he thought one night with her and that was it. When he left during it she vowed never again, but that wasnt gonna stop him for getting what he wanted. He was not gonna fall in love though (yeah right who wouldnt fall in love with Rose because I certainly did), he thought it would make him soft but when he did let himself fall it made him stronger.

Rose was one of the best FMC I have ever read. She was an absolute spit fire who did not take Dante’s crap. She had a trauma filled past that she allowed herself be vulnerable with Dante. She was able to fall in love with a monster. I absolutely loved how confident she was in herself and how she loved being independent She was absolutely awesome in this book! I loved her from The first book!! The spicy time in the book was so so so hot, it was raw and so full of passion and hate. It was everything. Also THAT PLOT TWIST AT THE END, OMG WAS NOT EXPECTING THAT AT ALL!!!

I cannot wait for Nico’s book and another absolute killer redemption arc for him!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Ernita.
121 reviews6 followers
May 17, 2024
✨ 4.25/5

This one was lowkey so much better than the first, I enjoyed it so much more. I was not expecting to Love DanteRose as much as I did but 😮‍💨🤭😋😍 I do!
Dante was a Royal ass in the first book and messed up BAD iykyk so I wasn’t too excited when I saw the next book was his BUT when I read the last epilogue which happens to be a sneak peek of the new couple I was INTRIGUED immediately!

Rose was such an icon, I loved her vibe and she was just such a good badass FMC. She was funny and knew what she wanted and she was just a girl and I loved that cause I found her so relatable. I love how their story went from an almost one night stand to TENSION every time they saw each other after that and then one thing leads to another and she’s calling HIM for help cause she has nobody else to call and he’s there and takes her in and finally they slowly begin to become more than just friends. Dante really changed my mind about him with this book and honestly he’s become my favorite 🫣 His dirty mouth, the way he cares about Rose’s safety, he took so much on his plate to try and honor his fathers wishes I was really glad I continued the series because I think Sienna wrote his book perfectly. They were so hot and that man SERIOUSLY has a breeding kink 🤭

Wow I was not expecting that shocking ending— we think it’s one person who’s doing this to Rose and then we think okay maybe it’s a vendetta thing but to find out who it really was…. I was shocked. I’m obviously not a fan right now because ??? That was kinda crazy and his reasoning for it was dumb imo but his book is next so we shall see what he gives.
Tropes:

— Possessive MMC
— “Who did this to you”
— Grumpy x Sunshine
— Forced Proximity
— Age Gap
Profile Image for Liz.
2,108 reviews15 followers
December 4, 2023
Overlapping slightly with Ruthless King, the first book Savage King is older brother Dante’s story and it’s the tale of a King taking back the throne he’d turned his back on and leadership of the Kings, even if it is for his younger brother’s protection. The one obstacle in his path was Rose Holloway, a woman he’d left hanging and who swore he’d blown his one chance with her. But when her stalker problems begin to escalate from being annoying into a viable threat, the only person she can turn to for help is Dante Valentino.

This book had a strong, action filled plot involving the ongoing war with the Red Dragons triad, Rose’s stalker issues and a third surprise threat seemingly appearing from nowhere with Rose and Dante’s romance playing out alongside it. Rose was the perfect match for him. She wasn’t the slightest bit intimidated by his mafia connections and stood up to him when the moment merited it. Their chemistry sizzled from the moment they’d met with several steamy encounters. There’s nothing I love more than a dominant, possessive hero and this author delivers one in spades with Dante. He wasn’t at all likeable in the first book but his character development in Savage King made me do a complete one-eighty and go from hate to love in the blink of an eye. He was so protective not only of Rose but everyone he cared about and was definitely happy to ‘unalive’ any threats and also wasn’t above retaliating any past offences against them. I did however feel the ending was a bit weak compared to the rest of this book even though it did set things up for the next book in the Kings of Temptation series.
Profile Image for Cassandra.
778 reviews
October 30, 2024
I liked this book a lot more than I did the first one. It definitely kept me more in the story, but there were some big issues going on with this book, as well.

Editing-wise, there were multiple instances of the wrong word used: Roll rather than Role. I would think that the author just doesn't realize that role is a word, but she used it elsewhere, only a few pages after the first 2 times I noticed the wrong word used. I would think an editor would have caught this.

How many times are you going to put the word "gawd" in there?! To start, I counted 5 times in 6 pages on my Kindle (and that is with a larger font size than normal, since I am recovering from eye surgery). I gave up keeping track after that, and it was EVERYWHERE. Normal book size, that would have been 5 times in 3 pages. I can see throwing that in there as something someone said, if it fits what is going on, but to have it used so often as inner thoughts/narrative, it's just annoying. Just put the word God in there; You used it several times in the book, so you know it exists. It's shorter to type/print, and means and is pronounced the exact same. This, alone, almost had me chucking this into the DNF pile. Just the sheer number of times this was used annoyed the crap out of me.

Plus, how is everyone OK with being drugged and forced to take a few month vacation? First off, I would be pissed. Second, I wouldn't want to go all of a sudden just because someone decided to get me out of the way. Why are they all OK with that? It makes no sense.

I definitely did enjoy this book, and I would recommend it to others. I will continue to the next one, as well.
Profile Image for Maz.
1,674 reviews29 followers
December 10, 2023
I was actually wondering if I was going to like Dante after his actions in book 1. But I did feel there was some sort of good person in there. OK morally grey kind of good haha.
This is book 2 in series and is interconnected. Can be read as standalone but highly recommend to read from book 1. Gives you more depth in their characters and the background knowledge of all that's happening in their Mafia world.
Now you know Dante is Luca's older brother and we see more of Stella's best friend Rosa.
There is some animosity between the two of them but Rosa has no choice but to seek help from Dante as Stella and Luca are out of the country.
Rosa was just amazing, bada$$ and spitfire. She has had a heartbreaking past. Be prepared for that part 😢. But she has risen past that and has decided to live. Her evil ex is back and she needs protecting.
Dante might be ruthless, grumpy and most feared but he can't seem to shake Rosa off.
Now her life is in danger he is not letting her go.
I really loved seeing Dante's character developing into the awesome man he is in the end. Yeah I became victim from hate to lover here haha. He was actually just everything you want from a Mafia member and his dirty mouth was just 🥵. Rosa had no chance of winning the vow she made. Their chemistry is palpable and it is sizzling. The spice is high once they connect.
But how is he going to protect her as well as manage as the current leader in the Mafia with enemies from everywhere?
Honestly this series is becoming one of my favourites. Can't wait for book 3.
Profile Image for Renee.
5,193 reviews73 followers
December 5, 2023
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie's Book Reports.

Ruthless King in the first book in the Kings of Temptation Series. With that said I feel like you need to read it first. Some things in that book are in this one. But honestly you can read Savage King as a standalone. This book will pick up where we left off with Dante in the previous book. I am going to go ahead and warn you that he is not going to be shown in the best light in the beginning of this book. I was so angry but I had to know what was going to happen. Luca and Stella have left for their trip and Dante is left to run things in his brother's absence. He also promised Stella that he would look after her best friend Rose. She has a pesky little stalker who is her ex boyfriend. So besides looking after her he is running King Enterprises and dealing with the Red Dragons. I don't know that I need to say more than that. You just need to dive in and not let your anger at Dante make you stop reading this book. It is a good book. I loved he and Rose. They really have the sparks flying between them. I loved Rose. I loved her attitude and how she is a little spitfire that keeps Dante on his toes. Or maybe it's his knees. I will let you decide which it is. I loved getting to see a different side of Dante.
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