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The Best Man
The man I love is not for the faint of heart.
He’s an artist, a maniac, a brilliant sculptor capable of molding the most delicate clay into something beautiful and unbreakable. He teases that he makes magic, but it’s not a joke to me. He is a magician.
He will break you apart and rebuild you, and only then will you know true freedom.
He will give you what you never knew you needed, whether you want him to or not.
He will make you his.
If you’re me, anyway.
I thought I knew what love was, but he opened my eyes to depths invisible to anyone who doesn’t know him.
I don’t know how I lived for so long in the cold, cruel world without him.
Now, I need him to breathe, and he needs me the same way.
Call it sickness, call it obsession.
Tell me I’m brainwashed, that he’s more villain than hero.
I don’t care.
I’m in love, and this is the story of how he made me his.
The Best Man was previously published on Kindle Vella. This is a high spice standalone dark romance with a morally flexible "hero" and is intended only for a mature adult audience. If you require content warnings, please make sure to read the author's note in the beginning of the book.
He’s an artist, a maniac, a brilliant sculptor capable of molding the most delicate clay into something beautiful and unbreakable. He teases that he makes magic, but it’s not a joke to me. He is a magician.
He will break you apart and rebuild you, and only then will you know true freedom.
He will give you what you never knew you needed, whether you want him to or not.
He will make you his.
If you’re me, anyway.
I thought I knew what love was, but he opened my eyes to depths invisible to anyone who doesn’t know him.
I don’t know how I lived for so long in the cold, cruel world without him.
Now, I need him to breathe, and he needs me the same way.
Call it sickness, call it obsession.
Tell me I’m brainwashed, that he’s more villain than hero.
I don’t care.
I’m in love, and this is the story of how he made me his.
The Best Man was previously published on Kindle Vella. This is a high spice standalone dark romance with a morally flexible "hero" and is intended only for a mature adult audience. If you require content warnings, please make sure to read the author's note in the beginning of the book.
142 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 3, 2024
235 people are currently reading
993 people want to read
About the author
Sam Mariano
44 books4,873 followersFollow Sam Mariano on Facebook, Instagram (@sammarianobooks), or check out her Blog! If you need to email her, she can be reached at sammarianoauthor@gmail.com (but she is sometimes tardy about checking email. Mateo is very demanding).
Sign up for Sam's mailing list (to stay up to date on current projects--she won't spam you! Only for notification of new releases or book sales.)
All of Sam's books are available on Amazon! (And don't forget to follow Sam's Amazon Author page to get notified about the newest releases.)
Sam Mariano has been writing stories for as long as she can remember. She lives in Ohio and has a sweet and wonderful daughter.
Because of You was her first finished story (she started writing it when she was 18) and due to a full-time work and college schedule, it took her years to finish. She has also been telling people for years that there would never be a sequel (sorry, guys!)…which turned out to be a lie.
Sam Mariano is currently working on Dante’s book (if you’re a Morelli reader) and some other WIP.
Feel free to find her on Facebook, Goodreads, or her blog—she loves hearing from readers!
Sign up for Sam's mailing list (to stay up to date on current projects--she won't spam you! Only for notification of new releases or book sales.)
All of Sam's books are available on Amazon! (And don't forget to follow Sam's Amazon Author page to get notified about the newest releases.)
Sam Mariano has been writing stories for as long as she can remember. She lives in Ohio and has a sweet and wonderful daughter.
Because of You was her first finished story (she started writing it when she was 18) and due to a full-time work and college schedule, it took her years to finish. She has also been telling people for years that there would never be a sequel (sorry, guys!)…which turned out to be a lie.
Sam Mariano is currently working on Dante’s book (if you’re a Morelli reader) and some other WIP.
Feel free to find her on Facebook, Goodreads, or her blog—she loves hearing from readers!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 251 reviews
January 6, 2024
the best man
— a man that pimps you out to all his male relatives.
@samariano
idk the target audience for this novella but honestly when you write something as cringey and unsexy and in the vein of 'a bored housewife's taboo dirty slash shocking slash dark fantasies inspired by her husband's erectile disfunction' you at least shall have the courtesy of writing it well and writing it coherently so that i as a reader feel guilty pleasure not the secondhand embarrassment for every character involved.
maybe i'm wrong in assuming that even in erotic novellas the narrative the dialogues and the characterizations still matter?? at least pretend they do matter, put up a show, pull the wool over my eyes. writing a book with such a lousy attitude feels a lot like contempt toward romance readers, "why make an effort, these low class whores will eat litter from the trash bin if they're told it's an apple pie from a Michelin chief".
tbh i've watched porn that has better written scenarios, more plausible dialogues and more thought-out motivations of all the parties involved
than this novella #oops
— a man that pimps you out to all his male relatives.
@samariano
idk the target audience for this novella but honestly when you write something as cringey and unsexy and in the vein of 'a bored housewife's taboo dirty slash shocking slash dark fantasies inspired by her husband's erectile disfunction' you at least shall have the courtesy of writing it well and writing it coherently so that i as a reader feel guilty pleasure not the secondhand embarrassment for every character involved.
maybe i'm wrong in assuming that even in erotic novellas the narrative the dialogues and the characterizations still matter?? at least pretend they do matter, put up a show, pull the wool over my eyes. writing a book with such a lousy attitude feels a lot like contempt toward romance readers, "why make an effort, these low class whores will eat litter from the trash bin if they're told it's an apple pie from a Michelin chief".
tbh i've watched porn that has better written scenarios, more plausible dialogues and more thought-out motivations of all the parties involved
than this novella #oops
June 25, 2025
What the actual fuck did I just read 😭🤚
January 6, 2024
Dang this was wild!!!! 🤣 I lost count the number of times I screamed WTF? 😂 I may not have loved this but I didn’t hate it either so 3 stars.
I think letting the entire male population of your family bang your brother’s fiancé so she becomes yours is the WILDEST sh!t I’ve ever read about! 🤪
I think letting the entire male population of your family bang your brother’s fiancé so she becomes yours is the WILDEST sh!t I’ve ever read about! 🤪
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2024
He’s never noticed all the best things about you, baby, but I have.
I originally read this on Vella and let me tell you as it goes it just gets more and more unhinged. DubCon free use, fiancé’s brother and like his entire family that are men. If you’re looking for a sweet romance, this isn’t it. If you’re looking for some dark gray hot and heavy heat and a HEA ending for the main characters, then this will fit the bill. Absolutely check the warnings at the start of the book though. This will not be for everyone and I’m still not 100% sure it was for me, but I was sat for every episode, so here we are.
I originally read this on Vella and let me tell you as it goes it just gets more and more unhinged. DubCon free use, fiancé’s brother and like his entire family that are men. If you’re looking for a sweet romance, this isn’t it. If you’re looking for some dark gray hot and heavy heat and a HEA ending for the main characters, then this will fit the bill. Absolutely check the warnings at the start of the book though. This will not be for everyone and I’m still not 100% sure it was for me, but I was sat for every episode, so here we are.
January 5, 2024
The batshit crazy stuff happened, but the book was too short to properly justify it or make me care for the characters 🤷🏼♀️
looked-but-not-interested
January 5, 2024Extremely disappointed because it has sharing in it 🙃🙃🙃 maybe I’d get over sharing with a stranger once or something but he shares her with his dad and all 3 of his brothers… oh also she ends up pregnant but no idea who the father is. Well the MMC says it’s him but she fucked all the men in the family in one night so….
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2024
4.5 STARS!!
😈😈quality moral corruption😈😈 Thanks for the find, Isabella!
😈😈quality moral corruption😈😈 Thanks for the find, Isabella!
January 5, 2024
I love Sam Mariano books, and I will continue to read anything she releases, but to be perfectly honest…no one in this novel had a single normal human reaction to anything that was going on. All the characters acted like aliens who just landed on earth and were trying to figure out the social rules of daily suburban life.
(Also, as a huge fan of the Morelli Family series, I completely disagreed with the author’s comparison of this story’s mmc to Mateo. Marcus is Mateo if you ordered him off of Wish lmao)
This was fun and stupid and entertaining, though, so I don’t hate myself for having read it.
TW: non-consent, dubious consent
(Also, as a huge fan of the Morelli Family series, I completely disagreed with the author’s comparison of this story’s mmc to Mateo. Marcus is Mateo if you ordered him off of Wish lmao)
This was fun and stupid and entertaining, though, so I don’t hate myself for having read it.
TW: non-consent, dubious consent
January 10, 2024
not my favourite
I think I'm just going to list my thoughts below in no particular order:
SPOILERS
I think I'm just going to list my thoughts below in no particular order:
SPOILERS
Read
January 12, 2024I don’t even know what to do with this 🤷 😬
November 3, 2024
The tale of 5 brothers, one Father and one bride to be…
Marcus and Jessa
You will definitely go into this blind if you read the book blurb—- the blurb must be for another book. Anyway I don’t see the point of going in blind for this book— it’s pure smut— that’s all. The h leaves her bachelorette party early and goes to her fiancés( he’s not the H)house and crawls into bed to wait for him the night before their wedding. His oldest way hotter brother comes into the bedroom to grab a cup condom for the fiancé brother who is about to have sex with a stripper in the living room. He spies the h and ball gags her and ties her up. He knows who she is but doesn’t care. She’s into it but feels guilty. H then brings in his married Father who is hot too. They have a ménage with the h. He brings in his other brothers- one is also married. They all share the h too. So she has sex with her fiancés 4 brothers and also his father. Only the H( oldest brother) knows who she is. The others think she’s an escort. Meanwhile her fiancé is with the stripper. That night the secret is revealed that they all had sex with the bride to be. The fiancés fight but both show up at their wedding. The H tells is brother he doesn’t deserve the h because he has been cheating on her throughout their relationship plus had sex with the stripper the night before his wedding. So… The H states he is marrying the h. They live hea while the ex fiancé brother doesn’t.
Marcus and Jessa
You will definitely go into this blind if you read the book blurb—- the blurb must be for another book. Anyway I don’t see the point of going in blind for this book— it’s pure smut— that’s all. The h leaves her bachelorette party early and goes to her fiancés( he’s not the H)house and crawls into bed to wait for him the night before their wedding. His oldest way hotter brother comes into the bedroom to grab a cup condom for the fiancé brother who is about to have sex with a stripper in the living room. He spies the h and ball gags her and ties her up. He knows who she is but doesn’t care. She’s into it but feels guilty. H then brings in his married Father who is hot too. They have a ménage with the h. He brings in his other brothers- one is also married. They all share the h too. So she has sex with her fiancés 4 brothers and also his father. Only the H( oldest brother) knows who she is. The others think she’s an escort. Meanwhile her fiancé is with the stripper. That night the secret is revealed that they all had sex with the bride to be. The fiancés fight but both show up at their wedding. The H tells is brother he doesn’t deserve the h because he has been cheating on her throughout their relationship plus had sex with the stripper the night before his wedding. So… The H states he is marrying the h. They live hea while the ex fiancé brother doesn’t.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2024
Read this through kindle Vella.
Maybe Sam's speciest and craziest yet.
5 stars
5 spice
CW: too many to list
Maybe Sam's speciest and craziest yet.
5 stars
5 spice
CW: too many to list
January 6, 2024
If there's anything I've learned from Sam Mariano over the years is that her stories are not for everyone- in fact, most of some of the most polarizing I've read. And oh my is this novella going to do just that. Sam explores dynamics to some that are fascinating, compelling, sexy even...and to others may seem totally unpalatable. It's part of why I adore her books- they unsettle, make me wonder, make me question just what is my line. How much toxicity and depravity can I marvel in, what is the boundary.
And I'll say that story certainly pushed even me- a self proclaimed Sam superfan LOL. So please, dear reader, take Sam's warnings seriously. The triggers are quite serious...and this non-con in this is high on the non-conning. This is not a flowery or sweet romance, it is as far as you can get from traditional romancing. Some regular Sam readers themselves may even find this one too toxic and depraved. Mateo fans may find a lot of their favorite man here, a lot of Mia in our heroine...but let's just say if the the Valentine's day extra wasn't for you, this might not be either.
On first read, I ravenously gobbled this up. Per usual Sam made me think that I needed a psychological evaluation- because my brain is clearly f'ed. But I could not get enough of this insanity- like WTF was happening? I can't believe he's doing that and she's down with it. Then the big ole bonkers ending! And then after more time and processing, I felt unsettled too, even though I still loved it. Loved them, loved their hyperspeed HEA.. That's the Sam magic- I can understand how some would not enjoy this. Different parts of myself reacted differently.
Mateo Morelli is my favorite book boyfriend of all time, and some aren't about him either. There is a lot of him in Marcus- the will to psychotically mastermind and manipulate everyone around you so they are just exactly where you want them. Even if that means toxically traumatize the heroine so you bond her to you, so you awaken things in her, so you expedite your plan. I can see how some might point out how Marcus could have taken a much less harmful (and way less naughty) path to get the same result- but this wasn't just about getting the lady. All the other pieces had to fall into place too, all the other players, and Marcus's masterful manipulation was about the whole ensemble. Trauma-bonding with the heroine when he himself is the orchestrator of her trauma? Some may see it that way. Coercing, manipulating, and tricking the heroine into what he wants, an experience she doesn't want to want but enjoys? Others may see it that way. Breaking her so completely so he can build her back up and be the creator of her world and the owner of her heart, so she's reliant on him in every way. Most definitely.
Like all Sam heroines- Jess is softer, easily wielded. But she knows manipulation and desire...even love...can go hand in hand. It's all in her desire for it. My only wish was that it was a bit longer, that we got more of the progression. It's HEAVY spice (and again spice that some might not enjoy) and then we have some great ending content, but it's the middle that I've found I love most in Sam works. How she explores the solidification of that power dynamic in a way that is mutually beneficial to both her characters, the psychological exploration we see as two characters lean into their "toxic" way of being to understand how it fits just them perfectly. Sam explores that mostly sexually here, and again I gobbled it up, but I do love the existential/psychological side too and just wanted to spend more time with crazy Marcus and Jess.
So some will find this radically. messed up, and others will gobble it up. Even if even NOW days later I'm still like what did I read? Should I like it? Did I like it? Hot or wrong? Again, that's the Sam Mariano effect. And, it certainly scratched my Mateo Morelli itch. And that's an itch I never want to stop scratching- Marcus definitely brought that Mateo energy for the party, and I'm here for it.
***Reader friends, please read and heed Sam's warnings and my own. The combination of non-con and sharing as warnings I know is a big fat no for many, so just because it's a dynamic I enjoyed grappling with in this story does not mean it will be for you. Safety folks, this one is textbook NOT.***
TROPES (spoilery)
🌹 non-con and dub-con
🌹cheating
🌹novella with HEA
🌹soft, pliable heroine
🌹villainous and manipulate antihero
🌹sharing and group activities (no MM)
🌹lots of 💦
🌹all da holes
🌹unconventional/dark romance
And I'll say that story certainly pushed even me- a self proclaimed Sam superfan LOL. So please, dear reader, take Sam's warnings seriously. The triggers are quite serious...and this non-con in this is high on the non-conning. This is not a flowery or sweet romance, it is as far as you can get from traditional romancing. Some regular Sam readers themselves may even find this one too toxic and depraved. Mateo fans may find a lot of their favorite man here, a lot of Mia in our heroine...but let's just say if the the Valentine's day extra wasn't for you, this might not be either.
On first read, I ravenously gobbled this up. Per usual Sam made me think that I needed a psychological evaluation- because my brain is clearly f'ed. But I could not get enough of this insanity- like WTF was happening? I can't believe he's doing that and she's down with it. Then the big ole bonkers ending! And then after more time and processing, I felt unsettled too, even though I still loved it. Loved them, loved their hyperspeed HEA.. That's the Sam magic- I can understand how some would not enjoy this. Different parts of myself reacted differently.
Mateo Morelli is my favorite book boyfriend of all time, and some aren't about him either. There is a lot of him in Marcus- the will to psychotically mastermind and manipulate everyone around you so they are just exactly where you want them. Even if that means toxically traumatize the heroine so you bond her to you, so you awaken things in her, so you expedite your plan. I can see how some might point out how Marcus could have taken a much less harmful (and way less naughty) path to get the same result- but this wasn't just about getting the lady. All the other pieces had to fall into place too, all the other players, and Marcus's masterful manipulation was about the whole ensemble. Trauma-bonding with the heroine when he himself is the orchestrator of her trauma? Some may see it that way. Coercing, manipulating, and tricking the heroine into what he wants, an experience she doesn't want to want but enjoys? Others may see it that way. Breaking her so completely so he can build her back up and be the creator of her world and the owner of her heart, so she's reliant on him in every way. Most definitely.
Like all Sam heroines- Jess is softer, easily wielded. But she knows manipulation and desire...even love...can go hand in hand. It's all in her desire for it. My only wish was that it was a bit longer, that we got more of the progression. It's HEAVY spice (and again spice that some might not enjoy) and then we have some great ending content, but it's the middle that I've found I love most in Sam works. How she explores the solidification of that power dynamic in a way that is mutually beneficial to both her characters, the psychological exploration we see as two characters lean into their "toxic" way of being to understand how it fits just them perfectly. Sam explores that mostly sexually here, and again I gobbled it up, but I do love the existential/psychological side too and just wanted to spend more time with crazy Marcus and Jess.
So some will find this radically. messed up, and others will gobble it up. Even if even NOW days later I'm still like what did I read? Should I like it? Did I like it? Hot or wrong? Again, that's the Sam Mariano effect. And, it certainly scratched my Mateo Morelli itch. And that's an itch I never want to stop scratching- Marcus definitely brought that Mateo energy for the party, and I'm here for it.
***Reader friends, please read and heed Sam's warnings and my own. The combination of non-con and sharing as warnings I know is a big fat no for many, so just because it's a dynamic I enjoyed grappling with in this story does not mean it will be for you. Safety folks, this one is textbook NOT.***
TROPES (spoilery)
🌹 non-con and dub-con
🌹cheating
🌹novella with HEA
🌹soft, pliable heroine
🌹villainous and manipulate antihero
🌹sharing and group activities (no MM)
🌹lots of 💦
🌹all da holes
🌹unconventional/dark romance
January 6, 2024
LMAO WTF DID I JUST READ?
i never expected sam to put smth as shite as this out ever; she's my only insta-read author after all. and the fact that this was so short and rushed makes it all the more jarring to process this bs. i'll admit i have little forgiveness towards unrealism in my books and i just abt had it as this one was rich w it. i have no words rn. the premise of this alone was alr weak IMO (and not bc i have a problem w the tropes/themes explored here bc i clearly do not. like i've established i'm a big fan of S.M.'s work & i have yet to find another author in this genre who has as consistently brought me to a place of sheer thrill when reading their work) but it's the execution of this that just killed all the entertainment value of this almost instantaneously. this is def why i keep away from novellas bc rarely with their limitations do they ever get to flesh out characters or a storyline worth reading and/or caring abt.
i am so disappointed rn; so much so that this book has me looking back at descent and actually reconsidering the critique i had for that book originally bc this, comparatively, is a dire case that was inconceivable to the me before i had read this aka the me that was convinced that descent was the "worst" S.M. read but for reasons of technicalities (that in my mind had readily easy solutions to remedy such) rather than anything else. like i can't help but feel betrayed in this moment. TBM is by NO means up to what i consider the sam mariano standard. atp i'm pleading for sam to remember what made books like untouchable and even if it hurts work so effectively in their characterization, narrative, dialogue etc. bc truly i'm beginning to feel like she has lost sight of it all.
i never expected sam to put smth as shite as this out ever; she's my only insta-read author after all. and the fact that this was so short and rushed makes it all the more jarring to process this bs. i'll admit i have little forgiveness towards unrealism in my books and i just abt had it as this one was rich w it. i have no words rn. the premise of this alone was alr weak IMO (and not bc i have a problem w the tropes/themes explored here bc i clearly do not. like i've established i'm a big fan of S.M.'s work & i have yet to find another author in this genre who has as consistently brought me to a place of sheer thrill when reading their work) but it's the execution of this that just killed all the entertainment value of this almost instantaneously. this is def why i keep away from novellas bc rarely with their limitations do they ever get to flesh out characters or a storyline worth reading and/or caring abt.
i am so disappointed rn; so much so that this book has me looking back at descent and actually reconsidering the critique i had for that book originally bc this, comparatively, is a dire case that was inconceivable to the me before i had read this aka the me that was convinced that descent was the "worst" S.M. read but for reasons of technicalities (that in my mind had readily easy solutions to remedy such) rather than anything else. like i can't help but feel betrayed in this moment. TBM is by NO means up to what i consider the sam mariano standard. atp i'm pleading for sam to remember what made books like untouchable and even if it hurts work so effectively in their characterization, narrative, dialogue etc. bc truly i'm beginning to feel like she has lost sight of it all.
January 4, 2024
I think I have been stunned to silence by how unrealistic this story was. It was short and because of that we got thrown straight into the middle of… I don’t even know what to call it. I don’t really know what else to say. I just wanted to give this little review. there is sharing with OM(plural) In which the Author shared at the beginning of the book. And of course a doormat heroine. 😁 Enjoy!
January 6, 2024
This isn’t 4 stars for, “This book had so much character depth and great writing!” It’s a 4 star read for, “This book was unhinged in specific ways that I enjoyed.”
It’s not for everyone, and honestly I’m surprised I liked it. It was short, and more steam than plot, which isn’t my usual thing – nothing against that, I just get bored if there’s not much of a story, and not much of a journey that the characters go on (aside from falling into bed). Usually, I need relationship development, a plot, and characters who feel very fleshed out. I think this held my attention where other “mostly steam” books lose me because it still had some psychological interplay between the hero and heroine. There's bit of a mindfuck, with making the heroine (and us) wonder what the hero was up to, and how this would all pan out. So, even though there wasn’t much plot, it still felt like it had tension and drama.
It has some specific kinks, so if you’re interested but can't read certain stuff, I'd suggest reading some more reviews.
This author’s books are very hit or miss for me. I liked Even If It Hurts, I didn't like Descent. This story has the ingredients that are in all of her books: dub con, a manipulative unrepentant hero, a soft heroine who just goes along with him. But, since her other books are usually 500 pages long, often the “soft and compliant” heroine starts annoying me, and starts coming across as too stupid after a while. And the dark hero kinda runs out of juice after the first 400 pages. Since this story is shorter, maybe it turns out that shorter works better for her.
Many of this author's other heroines come across as passive and helpless, and they don't even like what the heroes do, but they also don't fight back or try to escape - like in Descent. That's the kind of dub con that I don't like to read. It has to be written a certain way. This book did a better job of selling me on why the heroine would go along with it.
This hero might be Sam Mariano's most unhinged hero since Dare in Even If It Hurts. Yeah, Dare did more violent stuff, but this guy did ALL THIS crazy shit Honestly, that's comedy. Only a certain kind of reader would find that funny, other readers will be like "WTF?! 1 star!" but I'm in the first category. Too many dark romances are too self-serious about their dark heroes. I appreciate when they’re darkly hilarious like this guy, or like Nick in Dukes of Ruin, or Shay in Torment: Part One, or Laz in Brutal Intentions. Especially when it's not like they're being funny on purpose, they're just being themselves. This hero's "plan" was insane, and I liked that.
Don't read this if you want character depth and good relationship development. (Since this doesn't have those things, by my usual standards, it's more like 3-3.5 stars. But I'm rounding up, because I appreciate its audacity, and it held my attention where other short "mostly steam" reads usually don't). I would NOT rec this to readers who want a "regular" romance. I would rec it to readers who also really liked the book Brutal Intentions by Lilith Vincent, since that has some similar qualities - unhinged, ridiculous, fun, filthy, and a hero with a lot of audacity.
It’s not for everyone, and honestly I’m surprised I liked it. It was short, and more steam than plot, which isn’t my usual thing – nothing against that, I just get bored if there’s not much of a story, and not much of a journey that the characters go on (aside from falling into bed). Usually, I need relationship development, a plot, and characters who feel very fleshed out. I think this held my attention where other “mostly steam” books lose me because it still had some psychological interplay between the hero and heroine. There's bit of a mindfuck, with making the heroine (and us) wonder what the hero was up to, and how this would all pan out. So, even though there wasn’t much plot, it still felt like it had tension and drama.
It has some specific kinks, so if you’re interested but can't read certain stuff, I'd suggest reading some more reviews.
This author’s books are very hit or miss for me. I liked Even If It Hurts, I didn't like Descent. This story has the ingredients that are in all of her books: dub con, a manipulative unrepentant hero, a soft heroine who just goes along with him. But, since her other books are usually 500 pages long, often the “soft and compliant” heroine starts annoying me, and starts coming across as too stupid after a while. And the dark hero kinda runs out of juice after the first 400 pages. Since this story is shorter, maybe it turns out that shorter works better for her.
Many of this author's other heroines come across as passive and helpless, and they don't even like what the heroes do, but they also don't fight back or try to escape - like in Descent. That's the kind of dub con that I don't like to read. It has to be written a certain way. This book did a better job of selling me on why the heroine would go along with it.
This hero might be Sam Mariano's most unhinged hero since Dare in Even If It Hurts. Yeah, Dare did more violent stuff, but this guy did ALL THIS crazy shit Honestly, that's comedy. Only a certain kind of reader would find that funny, other readers will be like "WTF?! 1 star!" but I'm in the first category. Too many dark romances are too self-serious about their dark heroes. I appreciate when they’re darkly hilarious like this guy, or like Nick in Dukes of Ruin, or Shay in Torment: Part One, or Laz in Brutal Intentions. Especially when it's not like they're being funny on purpose, they're just being themselves. This hero's "plan" was insane, and I liked that.
Don't read this if you want character depth and good relationship development. (Since this doesn't have those things, by my usual standards, it's more like 3-3.5 stars. But I'm rounding up, because I appreciate its audacity, and it held my attention where other short "mostly steam" reads usually don't). I would NOT rec this to readers who want a "regular" romance. I would rec it to readers who also really liked the book Brutal Intentions by Lilith Vincent, since that has some similar qualities - unhinged, ridiculous, fun, filthy, and a hero with a lot of audacity.
January 22, 2024
Going into this blind is the best idea!
January 7, 2024
Quickie Review:
This was not your typical dark romance or even typical Sam Mariano story. So I do think even fans of her work are really going to struggle with this. Also keep in mind that this is a novella, its not one of her full length books. This was probably one of my least favorite books from her. This is not me saying that its a horrible book, far from it. But it just didn't have the flavor of a story that I was going for. I really enjoyed certain aspects of this book but it definitely wasn't quite my cup of tea. I enjoyed some elements. The heroine was sweet yet strong and not afraid to embrace her desires. Our hero was cunning and willing to do whatever it took to claim the woman he wanted. There are some family dynamics in this one that was a bit hard to deal with at times. But I did enjoy where the author took this story and it was definitely one of the more adventurous sexually of her books. So you definitely need to keep an open mind to even be okay with this story. But I really enjoyed how these two just were right for each other. It did have some poignant moments when I least expected it, and I enjoyed the affection that these two held for each other in just the perfect moments.
Overall while this one is definitely not a favorite of mine, I respect the reach iin which the author was going for on it and it had its redeeming qualities.
This was not your typical dark romance or even typical Sam Mariano story. So I do think even fans of her work are really going to struggle with this. Also keep in mind that this is a novella, its not one of her full length books. This was probably one of my least favorite books from her. This is not me saying that its a horrible book, far from it. But it just didn't have the flavor of a story that I was going for. I really enjoyed certain aspects of this book but it definitely wasn't quite my cup of tea. I enjoyed some elements. The heroine was sweet yet strong and not afraid to embrace her desires. Our hero was cunning and willing to do whatever it took to claim the woman he wanted. There are some family dynamics in this one that was a bit hard to deal with at times. But I did enjoy where the author took this story and it was definitely one of the more adventurous sexually of her books. So you definitely need to keep an open mind to even be okay with this story. But I really enjoyed how these two just were right for each other. It did have some poignant moments when I least expected it, and I enjoyed the affection that these two held for each other in just the perfect moments.
Overall while this one is definitely not a favorite of mine, I respect the reach iin which the author was going for on it and it had its redeeming qualities.
March 21, 2025
I needed this thank you
January 10, 2024
I need to put my kindle in the freezer. Thank you, Sam Mariano. ♥️🫰💯🔥🌟
January 11, 2026
Genre: Dark Romance
Type: Standalone novella
POV: First Person - Female
Rating:
Jessa Parker thought she was finally going to have a family by marriage. But her future brother-in-law, Marcus Peterson, had something else in mind.
Every move Marcus made served a purpose and he wouldn’t think twice about getting whatever he wanted. Jessa, on the other hand, was conflicted and uncertain in her thoughts.
I get where the author was trying to go with this story, but for me, this type of plot requires a full-length for it to be believable. The plot was over the top without establishing the backstory and the characters' dynamics. Fortunately, the sexy scenes were scorching in their depravity.
The Best Man is a story of manipulation and submission. It would appeal to readers who enjoy a short smutty romance.
For more reviews/interviews/book talk/promo visit:
For graphics, trailers & author services visit Warhawke Design Studio.
Type: Standalone novella
POV: First Person - Female
Rating:
Jessa Parker thought she was finally going to have a family by marriage. But her future brother-in-law, Marcus Peterson, had something else in mind.
Every move Marcus made served a purpose and he wouldn’t think twice about getting whatever he wanted. Jessa, on the other hand, was conflicted and uncertain in her thoughts.
I get where the author was trying to go with this story, but for me, this type of plot requires a full-length for it to be believable. The plot was over the top without establishing the backstory and the characters' dynamics. Fortunately, the sexy scenes were scorching in their depravity.
The Best Man is a story of manipulation and submission. It would appeal to readers who enjoy a short smutty romance.
For more reviews/interviews/book talk/promo visit:
For graphics, trailers & author services visit Warhawke Design Studio.
January 6, 2024
“It’s intoxicating to be not only loved but accepted for every single thing I am. appreciated for it. craved because of it.” 🥲🩶✨
so this is my first book by sam & oh my word. i am obsessed. let’s start w the writing style, amazing!!
jessa jus wants to be valued n appreciated by her fiancés family. and one nite under marcus’ control changes everything. marcus is so dirty. n man do i love it. but he’s also super caring & attentive. he pays attention to the little details which joey would never. he sticks up 4 his gurl n literally loves her.
but these 2 together are the perfect fit. they make each other better & compliment each other so well. a beautiful story❤️🔥
- a forbidden dark romance
- j/p hero
- dubcon
- fiancés brother
- mf romance
- dual pov
rating: 4.5/5⭐️
spice: 2/5🌶
so this is my first book by sam & oh my word. i am obsessed. let’s start w the writing style, amazing!!
jessa jus wants to be valued n appreciated by her fiancés family. and one nite under marcus’ control changes everything. marcus is so dirty. n man do i love it. but he’s also super caring & attentive. he pays attention to the little details which joey would never. he sticks up 4 his gurl n literally loves her.
but these 2 together are the perfect fit. they make each other better & compliment each other so well. a beautiful story❤️🔥
- a forbidden dark romance
- j/p hero
- dubcon
- fiancés brother
- mf romance
- dual pov
rating: 4.5/5⭐️
spice: 2/5🌶
January 5, 2024
This story was wildly feral. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Best just to go in blind haha! Thank you for this unhinged treat, Sam! ❤️🔥
January 9, 2024
loved it
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Morally grey H
Brothers fiancé
Short read
Sharing only one night 🫣
JpH
I’m so glad Sam Mariano decided to release this book 📕 it was so damn good I loved every word and every page. I wish is was a full length book and gutted I finished it so quickly.
So basically the h is about to get married to her fiance the night before her wedding her fiancé’s brother the H finds her in bed and decides to manipulate her into letting him gag her and handcuff her to the bed with the idea that her fiance will come in only he doesn’t bring in the fiance one by one he brings in each of his brothers and dad until they all have a go and even better they have no clue who she is either it’s to dark in the room for them to know until it’s revealed
How it all plays out is so good I normally don’t read sharing books but this one just worked and I still had no doubt that the H ws super jp for her.
I love how Sam can make you love her morally gray men in her books if you thought Carter or Mateo were master manipulators then Marcus puts them to shame 🫣
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Morally grey H
Brothers fiancé
Short read
Sharing only one night 🫣
JpH
I’m so glad Sam Mariano decided to release this book 📕 it was so damn good I loved every word and every page. I wish is was a full length book and gutted I finished it so quickly.
So basically the h is about to get married to her fiance the night before her wedding her fiancé’s brother the H finds her in bed and decides to manipulate her into letting him gag her and handcuff her to the bed with the idea that her fiance will come in only he doesn’t bring in the fiance one by one he brings in each of his brothers and dad until they all have a go and even better they have no clue who she is either it’s to dark in the room for them to know until it’s revealed
How it all plays out is so good I normally don’t read sharing books but this one just worked and I still had no doubt that the H ws super jp for her.
I love how Sam can make you love her morally gray men in her books if you thought Carter or Mateo were master manipulators then Marcus puts them to shame 🫣
January 5, 2024
First book of Sam’s where I haven’t felt like it was a female positive book. That’s not to say that all women are great, of course not. But I honestly normally feel like Sam usually shows that in more nuanced ways, and respects all types of women - even ones that are different or at odds with her FMCs. What I usually like about Sam’s books is her ability to write FMCs who are smart in ways that don’t have to match the perfect ‘strong female lead’ cardboard cut-out type.
The book did too much too fast for me - so this is maybe more an issue with novellas (that, honestly, I often have). Buuuut, it was really the introduction of the ‘girlfriend’ at the end of the book, and the need of the book to bring her down and turn her into an absolute villain in order to build our FMC up. It was interesting because that inclusion actually did the very thing that the character was a metaphor for?? I guess maybe because of the length of the book again, but that section included too much exposition style dialogue for my liking too.
Anyway - I enjoyed this up until a certain point. Wasn’t the worst or anything, but for sure not my favourite Sam book. I definitely enjoyed getting an extra slice of a random story while waiting for the Coastal Elite series.
The book did too much too fast for me - so this is maybe more an issue with novellas (that, honestly, I often have). Buuuut, it was really the introduction of the ‘girlfriend’ at the end of the book, and the need of the book to bring her down and turn her into an absolute villain in order to build our FMC up. It was interesting because that inclusion actually did the very thing that the character was a metaphor for?? I guess maybe because of the length of the book again, but that section included too much exposition style dialogue for my liking too.
Anyway - I enjoyed this up until a certain point. Wasn’t the worst or anything, but for sure not my favourite Sam book. I definitely enjoyed getting an extra slice of a random story while waiting for the Coastal Elite series.
January 7, 2024
This is such a trip! I wasn’t sure what was going to happen next at any given moment. Marcus, the H, is definitely in a class of his own. He feels similar to some of Sam’s other heroes but he makes some shocking choices here. Honestly, I wasn’t a huge fan of some of his choices but man did they pay off beautifully for him.
By the end you can see how this whole picture came together and it’s a bit mind blowing 🤯!
This is definitely not for everyone. It’s got Sam’s typical noncon/dubcon stuff happening but also HEAVY SHARING, there’s an authors note warning of it. Honestly, if you read the warning and get mad because you knowingly chose to read a book with sharing and you’re now mad about it that’s all on you. Do I typically enjoy sharing scenes? No. I think Sam Mariano could make me enjoy just about anything though.
My five star reads have been few and far between in the last year, I’m thankful for any I stumble upon. Marcus truly is *the* best man 🥵.
By the end you can see how this whole picture came together and it’s a bit mind blowing 🤯!
This is definitely not for everyone. It’s got Sam’s typical noncon/dubcon stuff happening but also HEAVY SHARING, there’s an authors note warning of it. Honestly, if you read the warning and get mad because you knowingly chose to read a book with sharing and you’re now mad about it that’s all on you. Do I typically enjoy sharing scenes? No. I think Sam Mariano could make me enjoy just about anything though.
My five star reads have been few and far between in the last year, I’m thankful for any I stumble upon. Marcus truly is *the* best man 🥵.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2024
Well, that was an OTT and spicy ride. I had a fun time with this novella, even though things were super unbelievable, but I was here for it.
I was getting major Mateo and Mia vibes.
This is a super spicy novella.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
I was getting major Mateo and Mia vibes.
This is a super spicy novella.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
January 28, 2024
A very hot and spicy bachelorette night with her in laws. Short and fully of graphic scenes.
Loved it
Loved it
February 3, 2024
2,5 ✨
This was. . . something. . . 😳
I don't even remember how I found out about this book and I decided to read it without knowing anything about it.
This wasn't amazing but it got me entertained 😳 the plot was crazy and there weren't exactly a development of the story but it was hot alright and the writing was also okay. So yeah. . . this was a crazy read but it got me curious to know what was going to happen next so there's that 🤷♀️
▬ 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬: polyamorous, reverse harem, boyfriend's brothers, boyfriend's father, obsessed boy
▬ 𝐭𝐰: cheating, rape (mention), dubious consent
This was. . . something. . . 😳
I don't even remember how I found out about this book and I decided to read it without knowing anything about it.
This wasn't amazing but it got me entertained 😳 the plot was crazy and there weren't exactly a development of the story but it was hot alright and the writing was also okay. So yeah. . . this was a crazy read but it got me curious to know what was going to happen next so there's that 🤷♀️
▬ 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬: polyamorous, reverse harem, boyfriend's brothers, boyfriend's father, obsessed boy
▬ 𝐭𝐰: cheating, rape (mention), dubious consent
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