Under the Needle

by Kimberly M. Ringer

Jax McMalley had always known her life would be under the city's watchful eye considering her father was one of the mafia Don's of the city.

She never really considered it would be a problem. Not at least, until they were at the start of a war, and the enemy takes the man she dares to care too much for.

Genres: Dark

160 pages, Paperback

Published July 16, 2024

About the author

Kimberly M. Ringer lives in Santa Cruz, California with her husband, little human, and two furballs, Wall-E (a Jack Russell mix) and Pippin (a Pomeranian terrier mix). When she isn’t writing she is reading, playing with the dogs, playing video games or down at the beach. She’s a bit geeky and nerdy, so sci-fi references and other things going on in the science world will often end up in her stories.

Jumping into others' lives via books is the best kind of escapism. Fall into your favorite genre and block out reality.


Kimberly M. Ringer also writes under the pen name K.M. Ringer

Reviews

[Emylee Gussler · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fast burn and a fast read. I liked the story and the characters. Jax and Cam have a sweet love that seems to come out of nowhere, as we don't see the lead up to their interest in each other. This makes it seem like insta-love, even though it isn't. The story moved really fast, which on one hand was nice because something was always happening. But on the other hand, it often felt like huge chunks of the story were missing. Still, it was a good read, and I did enjoy it. I just wish we got a little bit MORE of it.

[Margaret Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was good. A lot of the time I wish a book was shorter but this just wasn’t long enough at 100 pages.

For a teeny tiny minute I did think Cam was gonna be the enemy. Their wee blossoming romance was too good to be true but my doubts in him only lasted about a page.

I really liked the fact that the girl was the kick-ass one and that she claims him.

This was my first book by this author but I highly doubt it will be my last.

[Neapolitan670 📚🖤 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short n sweet would be good terminology, throw in a dose of FMC badassery and mafia then you have a great combination. For a short novella it didn’t miss a beat, I think I love Jax 🤭

[Alexis Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an adorable and fast burn book. The FMC was the heir to the mafia and met Cam when tattooing him. They have an instant connection and he’s Introduced into her world knowing who she is. They have a fast burn relationship that is full of love and admiration for one another. The story was captivating and help me the whole time in this short story. I’d definitely recommend giving this a read if you like a baddie who’s in line to be leader of the mafia. I received this as an ARC reading in exchange for my honest review

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this Novella. I actually wish it had been longer. This story was great and had me pulled in from page one! I would also like to see this possibly turn into more books. The MFC was pretty bad***.

[Kristin Poteet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super quick but semi spicy read! I was hooked from the beginning. Can’t wait to see what else Kimberly has up her sleeve !

[frenchy_reads_all · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, I read the story blurb before I read the book. I’ve ALWAYS loved a tough and independent FMC. BUT, I’ve always loved the bad boy too. So, finding out I was going to read a book where the FMC was basically the leading character and the MMC needing the rescuing? I wasn’t too sure of this going in. Boy was I WRONG!

Jax is the strong, bada$$, independent, take no crap FMC that I have always loved, but Cam was definitely NOT a shrinking violet that needed his lady to hold his hand and wipe his hind end for him! Cam was AWESOME!

Seriously, my only complaint about this book is that I wanted WAY more! This was entirely way too short! K. M. Ringer, that was just mean!! 🤣

Cam and Jax’s story was amazing. I loved the way their characters interacted with each other. Their communication was phenomenal! The secondary characters were just as important. I feel like they made the book just that much more enjoyable!

This was my first book by K.M. Ringer but it dang sure won’t be my last! I’m pretty sure I am a fan for life now!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Shelly Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It is a short, quick read. I was able to read this book in one sitting.

This story is extremely fast faced. We don't get a ton of back story and we immediately jump straight into the story. Jax is a strong, independent woman. She also happens to be the daughter of a Mafia Don. She is aware of what that entails and doesn't back down easily. Due to the length of the story and the accelerated story line, I do feel like we weren't able to get the full depth of this character that I would have liked. But this is typical with novellas.

The relationship with Cam appears to move very quickly, although it isn't instalove. Again, as typical with shorter stories, there are always going to be missing pieces that don't necessarily affect the story line.

Overall, I really liked this book. You're going to see a lot of flipped tropes. Which I personally appreciated. There are some spicy bits. And you get an HEA. When the bad guy finally gets what he deserves it's chefs kiss.

Always read your trigger warnings and read responsibly.

Happy Reading Ya'll <3

[Kari Chappell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was AWESOME!!!! I love me a good mafia romance and this did not disappoint.

Jax is a badass FMC and takes NO crap. She is the heir to the McMally dynasty. Her father is the Don and she is every bit her father's daughter. She grew up in the mafia underworld and she is her father's second in command. Everyone know who she is and the that surround what she does for the family. She is a tattoo artist as her day job to have something of her own.

Cam is a man on a mission to just be in the company of Jax however he can get it. He has met her on an app, and has commissioned her for a piece that commemorates his grandfather when he was a soldier.

Cam and Jax have talked for months going over the art details for his back piece. They will do what they can to spend time with each other, but a threat and Jax's bodyguards has that halting in it's tracks. Cam and Jax will have to overcome some obstacles and danger that goes hand in hand with the mafia.

I loved this book. I will read more of K.M. Ringer!!!

[High Lady of Delulu · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am struggling a bit with reviewing this book ...

First of all, Under the Needle is a cute short-read that is easy to enjoy. Spicy at the right times, wholesome where it feels good. The MMC is a simp with edges, the FMC a badass who can hold herself. It's a good combination and it works.
Somehow, though, I had trouble connecting with the characters and their development. The book starts at a point in their relationship where the intensity of their emotions for each other was difficult to grasp for me personally. I don't think I needed more scenes earlier on their timeline, just... maybe more build-up as to how it shaped their feelings.
I think it is why I, personally, had some trouble connecting with the characters.

The plot is fun, the writing good. And, again, it's definitely an enjoyable quick read!
I love that others love the book and can totally see why, even if I don't feel the same.


I received a free ARC of Under the Needle and this is my honest review

[Alyx Reese · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! I loved Jax, she is a strong, fierce, independent woman who is not afraid to lead her father’s criminal organization. Cameron is falling in love with her, but he is not in her world.

This is a super spicy, face paced, novella. It’s full of suspense, steam, and violence. Ringer’s world building is superb. I adored all of her characters, especially Cam’s besties and Jaz’s bodyguards. They really create a supporting group that rounded out the plot and Jax and Cam.

The ending was, well let’s just say I held my breath. Both Jax and Cam each had to give something important to the other in order to make it work, they loved each other so much, that making that commitment was easy. What they went through to get there? Eehhh

This is a great little book, it’s a first time read of this author for me, but it will not be the last.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!! I haven’t been so hooked on a book in a while. I absolutely loved the story and how everything progressed, with a HEA. I enjoyed meeting all the characters and how they all played a role in it, I also hope we get more and get to me Jarvis and Bailey in another story. I love that Jax is a strong and independent woman, but also knows how to be softer for the one she loves. Cam may not have been expecting to get together with one of the mafias strongest heir, but he regrets nothing at all. Even if things go a little wrong at one point, it just shows how much Jax and Cam love each other and would do anything to protect each other. Also I feel sorry for the poor mountain lion, it deserved a better dinner

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you in the mood for quick, intense mafia read? This is the one for you!

We jumped feet first into getting to know Jax and Cameron and how being the daughter of a mafia Don has impacted them.

I instantly fell in love with Jax and her toughness but also her soft side as the story progressed.

I was not emotionally prepared for one of the action scenes, and I would've loved to see that be expanding and dug deeper into the feelings of everyone, but with this being a novella, you can't have it all.

Once the action started it was just a wild ride of emotions - shock, stress, happiness, and more.

This was my first book by K. M. Ringer and it was such a good introduction to her.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Gwen Shafer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was not at all what I was expecting it to be. It is a short quick mafia romance with a twist. I absolutely loved reading this one. It only took me a couple of hours to read as it is short and right to the point. But there is a suspenseful enjoyable storyline with two great characters who have amazing chemistry.
Cam and Jax are trying to build a relationship but Jax has a life style that does not make it easy to do. But Cam will do whatever it takes to find his happy ever after with her. I absolutely loved the twists and turns in this one. It was gripping and enjoyable right from the beginning to the very end. This is a new author to me and I am looking forward to reading more from her.
I received an ARC of this book and this is my opinion and my opinion only.

[Thatonegirltarrah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got to read this early and I am so thankful!

It was such a quick read with a very strong female character and a main male character who accepted the female for who she was. Never tried to change her. The only place he wanted control was the bedroom 😉

I love the mafia aspect because it was based around the mfc and the the mmc which was a good twist! I do wish it had been longer and not a short story. This could have been an amazing novel instead of novella but I’ll take it as it was!

I also wish we get maybe a short story of the two side characters who had such a story with in this short story!

[Dalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick read sitting at 100 pages. This book is about Jax McMalley the daughter of a Mafia Don. But she is not the typical mafia princess, she is a queen. She is strong and is not a bargaining chip. She is actively engaged in the mafia life and is ruthless. It was nice to see the roles reversed instead of the usual mafia books where the powerful main character is male, and the women are just arm candies or needing to be rescued. The MMC compliments hers very well. Even though it is a short novella it is well written, easy to follow and gives the proper background and descriptions needed to make this book great.

[Kerry-Anne Nabb · Rating 4 out of 5]

💀 Novella
💀 Trope flips
💀 Female tattoo artist
💀 Mafia theme
💀 She saves him
💀 Female heir
💀 Suspense romance

Having the female be possessive and a baddie is a game changer. Shes ruthless and I love it. Having a female heir that isn’t solely forced on business and is also a tattoo artist, and a good one. Cam being kidnapped and seeing who was behind it was kinda a shocker. But Jax being the baddie she is, she doesn’t think twice about ending it, no matter who it is.
The mountain lion getting a nice tasty meal at the end was fantastic.

[Andi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It kind of jumped right in to the story but not to the main part of anything. There was still a lead up and ending. I wish there was more to it or a next book to continue the story. It had spice, vengeance, gore, claiming, and so much more. If you are up for the challenge and do not get triggered easy, go ahead and read this book!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rockymountainreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this was fantastic. I’m a bit ashamed to admit it’s my first mafia read. I think I might be ruined forever now because I want sexy mafia ladies with their devoted partner. This was a super quick read, however, impressively the author was able to make me laugh, swoon, cry and feel absolute disgust (in the best way) all in such few pages. My first from this author but definitely won’t be my last!

[Becka · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review:

Under The Needle by Kimberly M Ringer

It was a good Mafia romance, and I enjoyed having the dynamic flipped with Jax (fmc) being the heir to her father's empire. KM Ringer does a great job with capturing strong emotions between the main characters. I feel fast for Jax and Cam as they did for each other! 🌶

As always check the trigger warnings before reading the book, your mental health is important 🖤

[Celine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the ARC of this book! It was a great fast read for me.

I really enjoyed this short, sweet, and spicy dark romance novella. And I so loved the ending with the tattoos.

I love how determined our hero was here. He was not going to give up the girl in the face of a little danger. Those are my favourite.

If you love dark romance and are eager for a bit of a quick-read palet-cleanser, this book is for you.

[Jess_feelzinsane · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's so refreshing to read a mafia romance that the Female..her name is Jax..is the mafia boss! She's the boss over everything, but the bedroom as far as Cam is concerned! She doesn't realize how much she's fallen for this man until there's trouble with the enemy, and that's when it clicks! This is a short read but packed so good! I loved it!

[Megan Kenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jax is the perfect badass female character and Cam is just what she needs to bring some calm into her life as a heiress to a mafia family. This quick one handed read is full of spice and action. The author has done an amazing job of bring you right into the page and keeping you hooked. There isn't a single one of her books that I haven't read and I have loved everyone of them.

[Kelsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short, fun mafia novella where FMC is badass and MMC is honestly a simp. Jax, the Don’s daughter is living it up as a tattoo artist, where she meets Cam, a client of hers. They like each other pretty much from the jump but Jax is obviously worried knowing the world she comes from. Cam couldn’t care less and just want this girl with everything in him. This lovely little spicy story does have some explicit mafia bits (torture, blood, death) so be mindful, but I really just wish I had more of this book! I was invested!

[Alyx Reese · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! I loved Jax, she is a strong, fierce, independent woman who is not afraid to lead her father’s criminal organization. Cameron is falling in love with her, but he is not in her world.

This is a super spicy, face paced, novella. It’s full of suspense, steam, and violence. Ringer’s world building is superb. I adored all of her characters, especially Cam’s besties and Jaz’s bodyguards. They really create a supporting group that rounded out the plot and Jax and Cam.

The ending was, well let’s just say I held my breath. Both Jax and Cam each had to give something important to the other in order to make it work, they loved each other so much, that making that commitment was easy. What they went through to get there? Eehhh

This is a great little book, it’s a first time read of this author for me, but it will not be the last.

[Shatana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers a refreshing change of pace. It's quite unique to see a female character taking charge while the male character admires her. Her strong leadership is truly remarkable. The character development in this book is exceptional, although a bit more background at the beginning would have been beneficial. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed the story.

[Amber Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not your typical mafia story.

Jax, the FMC, is a strong, independent woman, whose father is the Don. However, she isn't to be cowed by the life, and doesn't need saving. She reigns. Cam, the MMC, is a wonderful compliment with Jax, and HE needs saving. It's a great twist on the normal mafia trope, and is well-done.

Overall, a quick, but good read.

Thank you for the ARC.

[Cindy Kukas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love a dark mafia romance? Here’s one with a great twist. The female main character is the heir to the mafia throne. Her father has prepared her in every way to be the next Don.
She rescues her man and makes those that hurt him pay dearly.
This was a fantastic change!
Check trigger and content warnings
18+

[Ashley Cestra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really fell for this story!!! I was intrigued from the first few pages and holy GIRL POWERRR!!

I loved the characters and their backstories. Normally these quick little reads are not for me but this one I throughly enjoyed reading!

The twist ending really shocked me and I loved every part of the role reversal! Such a fresh idea bringing a different flare setting it apart from the rest!

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. Jax was so strong right from the first and Cam secure enough not to be threatened by it. The point of view was a newish one to me with Jax being her fathers second in command but they made it work. There were a few tense moments but they pulled through to a happy ending.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily