Oranges & Lemons: By The Beau Bells Part One

by Jac Franklin

Isabel Mason lives a quiet life. She is surrounded by the only reliable thing in life - books!

A librarian, she loves nothing more than curling up with the latest best seller. Not even a visit from her estranged grandfather can sour her mood. Especially when he brings her a box full of treasure!



Beau needs to find the answer to the Mason problem. It's the only way his family is going come out on top in a gang war which has stretched on for two decades. The rumour is that the old man has given the information about his empire to a family member. It doesn't take much to work out who.

A majority of his family is either dead, or behind bars.



Leaving his bookish granddaughter an easy mark.



The plan is simple - seduce the quiet Miss Mason, get the information, and take over London once and for all.

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, Dark Romance

252 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2024

About the author

Jac Franklin was born and raised in Norwich but relocated to the Essex coast over a decade ago, for love. When she's not writing, she's listening to music. Her tastes are eclectic, and stem from her time at music college.

Jac's pen name comes from the initials of her real name, and Franklin is in tribute to her late grandmother who was truly one of a kind.

An avid reader, she grew up reading primarily fantasy books. Garth Nix, Terry Pratchett, Rick Riordan being some of her favourites. Nowadays she's a ferocious reader of spicy romance novels. She loves Amy Daws, Julia Quinn, Samantha Young and Melissa Foster, to name a few.

The first book in the Degrees of Separation, Coast to City, started as a dream that wouldn't go away until she wrote the story down. It took just twenty days to write the entire novel, but then the other characters started piping up, and so DoS was born.

Reviews

[LadyOfTheLibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Oranges & Lemons
Author: Jac Franklin
Stars: 4/5⭐️
Spice: 4/5 🌶
Spoilers: No
This Book Left Me Feeling:
🥵🫢👀
Genre:
Mafia Romance

About The Book:
In the city of London, a feud between two powerful families leads to seduction, de@th and maybe even...love? But when you're dealing with powerful and dangerous people, nothing is ever quite that simple.

What Will Stay With Me:
The scene at 84%. That's all I'm gonna say. If you know, you know 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵

Review:
So i want to preface by saying that m@fia romance isn't my go to. I don't dislike them but I've not read that many. I wanted to read this book because it's set where I live and the info I saw about it made me curious.

I am so glad I did. This was a great adventure into a genre that I'm not very familiar with. I loved both of the main characters. They were both very easy to love, even with other stuff going on that could make it difficult. I also loved the setting! The author clearly has a good knowledge of London and I loved seeing familiar streets and places in the story.

Another thing is the angst. Anyone that knows me will tell you that I am an absolute sucker for some well written angst and if you love that too then look no further because this book does it perfectly.

I can't wait for the next book in this duet to see what comes next for these characters.

[TheGoodGirlBooktok Kai 🥀🖤 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knowledge Is Power, Death, and Love???? This book is a refreshing setting change from your usual Italian, Irish, or Russian mafia. This is in the deep dark streets of London mafia and it was a ride. This is a quick read so go ahead and knock this out on your book challenge! Two big and powerful families taking an unexpected turn with each other through Beau And Isabel. This story is truly unique and I love the sexy library trope. It’s a new smink for me. You’re truly engrossed in this book! Once you get started, you will not want to put it down and it’s totally worth it! Their relationship was organic and gave a bit of enemies to lovers while battling backlash and the past from both families. The spice was most certainly spicy. 🌶️ There’s one scene that is going to live rent free in your mind for weeks to come I’m thinking about it right now kicking my feet. There’s a cliff hanger that’s unaliving me! Go pick up this quick read and dive into the London Mafia And Fall In Love while you’re at it!

[Lorelei Aurora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a must-read book! Spunky, confident, curvy FMC. Possessive, morally grey MMC. Mafia romance set in London. Fairly light for a mafia romance, in my opinion, but everyone has a different definition of dark romance.
Issy is a librarian who specializes in conservation. Beau is a professor and the son of a London gang leader. Issy gets a visit from her estranged grandfather, who is the leader of the other London gang, and it sets the plot in motion.
I loved this book! I do have to say, though… I severely dislike when the MMC keeps big secrets from the FMC. Don’t get me wrong here. I LOVE reading it. I just get mad at the MMCs for being stup!d. THE WOMEN ALWAYS FIND OUT!! *sigh* Why do fictional men never read romance novels? Then they would know this! Anyways, Beau isn’t the only man keeping secrets from Issy. And those secrets are pretty juicy!! I can’t wait to find out how all of those secrets play into the second part of this duet!
Oh, this book is part 1 of a duet and ends in a cliffhanger. And check those TW if you need to.

[Amanda Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beau and Issy

Wow!!! First off let me say...check the TW!!! If you decide to read the first book of this duet (which I think you should) then be ready!!
I thought by the title of this first book, that it might be spicy and have a good plot but I was no way ready for all the feelings this book brought out in me. I absolutely love Issy...she's independent, A librarian (that would be my dream job) and a total bada$$. She lives life on her own terms and doesn't wanna have any part of her "family legacy"
Beau made me so mad at times but I truly do believe he fell in love with Issy and if he was open and honest, they maybe could have had a simpler life. Because of his choices, he may have just lost the most important person in his life!!
This book does end on a MAJOR cliffhanger..so know that before you start reading it💕
5⭐
4🌶

[Christina Rybka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Issy is living a peaceful live at her dream job as a librarian. She keeps to herself. She meets a man named Beau who spills coffee on her, and Beau has ulterior motives to get close to her. They get closer and start to have deeper feelings than just the intense chemistry. The danger is getting closer. Can they be together with a beginning in lies? Great characters and storyline Highly recommended Amazing book. I love Beau and Issy and their dynamic and character development. Great supporting characters. This book has some twists and turns, secrets and intrigue, and the spice is so good. Read trigger warnings. This book is part of a duet end in a light cliffhanger. This is my first book by this author definitely not my last

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oranges & Lemons is a great dark mafia story. What you get...
♡Mafia Romance
♡Dark Romance
♡Morally Grey MMC
♡On Page ☠️
♡London Gangsters
♡Plus Size FMC
♡She's a Librarian
♡Good Girl Goes Bad
♡Switch Energy
♡Kinky
♡Lots of Spice 🥵🔥🥵🔥
♡BDSM
♡Blood Play
♡Power Play
♡Intense Chemistry 🥵🔥🥵🔥

Jac does a great job at character and world building! I loved the book and characters. I can wait for the next because that ending!!!!!! I definitely need more!

[whatinthehea · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this 6 stars I would. EVEN THOUGH IT’S A CLIFFHANGER. Which usually makes me sad. But Im just excited this story will continue!!!!

Plus sized FMC
Morally grey MMC
Switch vibes
Irish gangsters
London gangsters
Two worlds collide
Secrets
Lies
Hidden Identity

6/5 ⭐️ Storyline
4/5 🌶️ Spiciness

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I absolutely LOVED this book! Loved the writing style. I can’t wait to read the next book. What a cliff hanger 👀👀

[Naomi Jayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d love to shower this amazing book with glitter in celebration, but Beau would probably unalive me for that 😉

[Courtney Boykin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really well written and keeps you on the edge of your seat- spicy and full of heat- cant wait to see what happens after that cliff hanger.

[Kristin Keele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spicy, engrossing, quick read. “The plan is simple. Seduce the quiet Miss Mason, get the information, and take over London once and for all.” Jac brings these characters to life, with their banter. I find them enjoyable and well developed. I’m glad I read this book because everything I read from Jac I have immensely enjoyed.

[Paula Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Londons Calling, Beau and Isabel the next generation of London gangsters bought together by the need for knowledge. Beau finds that Isabel is more than just a mark and she finds her inner self.


This was a quick Mafia dark romance, that finishes on a cliff hanger and leaves you wanting more. There is a great story line that takes you on a deep and dark turn through the gangs of London and beyond.

Yes there is spice that will leave you hot and as always I recommend that you read the trigger warnings before starting.

[Sarah Trevisiol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short version: LOVE the story, HATE the spelling and grammatical errors that pop up at the worst times! I really loved this book, and it would have been a personal 5-star read for me if it weren't for these.

The story is beautifully written, and you can tell the author carefully researched little details to incorporate into the world of the characters. For example, what it would be like to work at a huge London library as a conservator, dealing with book restorations, VIP visitors, and designing exhibitions. She develops the characters individually, sharing glimpses of childhood memories and their personalities in quiet moments of the story which helps round them out and explain their choices and motivation. The story itself is the star-crossed lovers trope that everyone is familiar with, told in a new-enough way that it's fresh.

The grammatical and spelling errors popped up with enough frequency that I have to note it. I'm not sure how digital books work, if the author can correct these and benefit future readers? A few of them I was able to write-off as possible London slang or dialect, like using "me" instead of "my". Unfortunately the particularly jarring examples pulled you right out of the heat of an important scene and make you go "Wait.. WHAT did that just say?" and then I had to shake it off and continue reading, purposefully returning to the story and re-entering the mental movie. Another round or two of editing and proofreading could make this book AMAZING!

Examples (not a complete list) of the grammar and spelling errors that need correction (NO spoilers):
"There had only been a third of the cup left, and it had mostly cooled down, saving me from a scolding."

"Gripping on calve, he lifted it until the back of my knee was resting on his shoulder, leaving me fully open to him. Accept for the tights which were in the way."

“What happened in Burford?” I asked, stopping in the middle of the street and pulling to face me."

“I need to make a call,” I told Issy. “You go in a pick something for dinner.”

"She was a little breathless as she walked into the shop, and I saw on a bench and called Mitch."

"...which meant had no clue what they were talking about."

"Until know for certain that you’re gonna be safe, I ain’t living your side."

"Something was fascinating about the way the metal sliced through the slice, blood running from the wound."

Beautiful writing samples (again, no spoilers):
"Two steaming mismatched mugs of tea were on the tray, with a plate of custard creams. I am rather partial to a custard cream. The cheaper, the better. Mum used to buy boxes of broken biscuits from the milkman, and there’s no greater delight than finding a whole custard cream amidst the crumbling biscuits. Taking one of the mugs, and two custard creams, I sat on the sofa."

"Daylight was filtering through the window, specks of dust caught suspended in the sunbeam. My mother had called it ‘glitter dirt’ when I was a child and encouraged me to wave my fingers through the particles, shifting them with my hand. It had seemed like magic back then, before I understood that I was, in fact, sticking my hand through dead skin cells. Kind of loses its appeal after that."

[B.B. Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚BOOK REVIEW 📚


💫My Rating: 4.5/5 💫

Good reads rating was rounded up!

⚠️Trigger Warnings ⚠️
Adult language and themes throughout Sex. A lot of Sex, Fight scenes/Violence, Scenes of abuse/torture, On and off page murder - some descriptive, Abduction Restraints, Threat of SA (implied), Knife/Sharps Play, Blood Play, Cum Play, Power Play, Spanking, Emergency Contraception, Description of Decomposition, Vomit, Mention of child abuse (off page, not MCs)

📝My Review📝

The streets of London are not always what they may seem, especially for those who are tourist. In Jac Franklin’s novel, “Oranges & Lemons”, the streets are ruled by the intense and dark mafias. Those apart of this world suffer if they are not loyal to their mafia king and/or disappoint the mafia family by stepping out of line. Leaving this life style is almost impossible, but for Issy’s parents this was a priority for their daughter. While Issy was not kept in the dark from its existence, she did everything in her power to keep it an arms length away. Due to the death of her parents, she was left alone with only her mafia king grandfather with whom she interacted minimally with besides accepting a few gifts from him.

Unfortunately, Izzy’s world is about to turn upside down when her grandfather visits her to deliver a gift of books. As a mafia king, he is always being watched by other mafias who are trying to overthrow him, so his visit and the downsizing of his personal belongings have other mafias on high alert. This included the south side of London’s mafia king who sends his son, Beau, undercover to seduce and uncover secrets that Issy may be hiding. While Beau sees this as a job, he just might quickly learn that just like the streets of London, there is more to Izzy than meets the eye.

Franklin’s novel leads a reader to a world that is deeply dark, sadistic, and yet fascinating. The Romeo and Juliet trope of the star crossed lovers is familiar, but it is also intriguing as it is established within the mafia world. As a reader, I found the deeply embedded loyalty and respect of the subjects to their the ruling family and vice versa for the ruling family to its subjects, to be an exciting concept to explore and learn about. There are dark and not always consensual sexual interactions that could make a reader uncomfortable. The writing is descriptive and engaging. The intense and sensual experiences are expressed in a vivid way that the reader can feel the lust, the heat, and the thrill it brings the MCs. The love displayed by the MMC is possessive and at times dominant focused, but I enjoyed that he allowed the MFC the opportunity to become the dominant within the bedroom and explore her true desires. The MFC is badass and such a great representation for women’s rights and modern day feminism. My true feminist side was thrilled to see her defiance radiate throughout the novel. If you’re Looking for a dark and intense love story, this novel may just fill that desire for you!

🤍Thanks to Jac Franklin for trusting me with their novel in return for my personal review🤍

[Krista Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is very rare for me to be able to finish a book in one day but BABBBBYYYYYYYYYYYYY I flew through this book so damn fast!!! What I love about reading a book about a woman who is plus size is that they really are plus size. Rolls, stretch marks and all of that amazing detail that really makes me feel seen when reading romance novels.

So lets get to the juicy stuff.

Izzy is living in London and she works in the library but behind the scenes. She is the person who takes care of all the older books making sure they safe, clean and able to be displayed for certain events. She is extremely sure of herself, smart and is a no nonsense type of gal. She has sworn off relationships because of her last ex and would only be with a man to scratch an itch if you know what I mean.

Then here we have Beau son of one of the gang leaders in London. The only reason these two "meet" is because of Izzy's grandfather coming to see her at work and Beau's father found out and he used Beau to get information out of Izzy.

When these two first meet Izzy was attracted of course but didn't give him the time of day and told him no when he asked her out on a date and that blew his mind because women never tell him no.

These two go from strangers to lovers to enemies (One sided) and my lord I was here for it all.
The spice.....THE SPICE WAS SPICEN!!!

What started out as a job for him turned into something more and I found myself falling in love with them. I felt everything Izzy felt. Love, Joy, Happiness, Acceptance and Betrayal I felt it deep in my soul.

Oh and the cliffhanger.....THAT FREAKING CLIFFHANGER!!!!

My heart was absolutely destroyed.
When I tell you I sent that author various messages in the middle of the night when I had finished expressing my anger. It was all out of love and respect but I also wanted her to know how much she pissed me the hell off. She is a British author and I know how seriously they take their tea and I had hoped someone made her tea in the microwave....and I was serious because my heart was left on the floor from the pain she put me through.

All in all this book is fantastic and everyone needs to read it and suffer with me haha.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure what I expected when I picked up this book, but it certainly wasn't the feelings I got about Issy and Beau but boy did I fell extremely hard for their relationship.

Issy Mason is from a mob family, sheltered from it by her parents' decision to move her out of that life and keep her out of it. Now orphaned, her estranged grandfather has started sporadically coming around, something she is not to keen on as she doesn't necessarily want a relationship with him.

Beau is the enforcer is his mob family, which rivals Issy's. Known to be the man to get the job done by his father, his new assignment may prove to be his downfall- get to know Issy Mason to figure out what she knows about her grandfathers dealings. Beau didn't expect to fall for the curvy Issy, but when he does, begins to question everything about this assignment and wonders if he really could have both- his current lifestyle and her.

The chemistry that Beau and Issy have from the beginning is off the charts and I don't necessarily mean the physical chemistry. Both are highly intelligent (Beau is also a professor and Issy is a girl after my own heart working in a library, surrounded by books all day restoring them) and I think that chemistry was more important than the physical one that they develop as their story goes on. It did make me sad to see just how their story began, since I think outside of the worlds they were both born into they had such potential, but it was really nice to see that if those worlds weren't keeping them apart, just how well they would fit with each other. I also really enjoyed that Issy was a very confident plus sized woman, who knew what she liked and didn't want to change that just to fit into a mold that most of society would want her to be. I was not expecting the surprise plot twist that happened at the end but let me tell you, I am so glad that book 2 is already out because I need to know what happens and I hope there is a HEA for Beau and Issy.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed this book. I have one big hangup and that's that Issy feels that it's okay to hurt someone and make them bleed just because they lied to you. That's messed up and makes me not like her as much as I did in the beginning of the book. I get that she's mad at Beau but you don't physically hurt someone for lying to you. It sucks and maybe you don't trust them but you most definitely don't cut them. I just really didn't like her after that, which really sucked because I liked her up until that point. And then her inner monologue about how she's justified for hurting him, that was a big old nope for me. It just seemed abusive and messed up. I know this is set in a world of murder and gangs but up until that point in the book she seemed to be fairly "good" as a person and I was rooting for her. But after that scene I just had trouble rooting for her. With Beau he was killing pedophiles and rapists so that felt justified. But her justifications were not okay at all to me. It was messed up. And I know it's one of the trigger warnings but I assumed it was consensual and it was a kink that they would agree on and talk about ahead of time, to help lead the reader into it. That's probably a me problem though; I may not be able to handle reading about knife play.

My only other issue is the editing. A lot of it is great and fine but then as you read you will stumble across sentences with missing words. I would get the meaning after going through the sentence a second or third time but it just messes with the flow. Maybe it's just the kindle version that got messed up, I'm not sure.

I like the concept and idea and enjoy the action/ adventure, romance, and spice.

[Tishana Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a refreshing read from my normal mafia reads and I loved how the storyline was intriguing, keeping me captivated from beginning to end.

Jac’s writing style was beautiful and different. I’m a sucker for great writing abilities so she gets a 5/5 out of me for that alone. I absolutely loved that she made Isabel a librarian (a true bookworm at heart, I LOVED this way too much). I really felt like I was in London and really apart of the storyline between Isabel and Beau.

The storyline itself was a 5/5. I loved that the pace stayed the course, there were lies, secrets, plot twists and growing love between Isabel and Beau, even though it started off as them being enemies to lovers (my favorite troupe after mafia). The spice in this was a 5/5. There’s one specific scene you’ll get into that will live in your head rent free. That scene alone is going into my “need to do with my husband thanks to my spice reads” books. You’ll know exactly why the spice is 5/5 with that scene alone, that’s all I’m gonna say!

Jac is a new author to me and I will definitely be following to read more of her books and this amazing mafia series as she completes it! Highly recommending for my mafia girlies!

[Kamron Rainey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oranges & Lemons: By the Beau Bells Part 1
Jac Franklin

🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
🌶🌶🌶🌶/5

🍊 Morally Grey MMC
🍋 Good Girl Goes Bad
🍊 Plus Size FMC
🍋 Switch Energy
🍊 London Gangsters
🍋 On Page ☠️

I received an eARC from the author & @nerdybabearcreaders in exchange for an honest review.

Oranges & Lemons is book one of the By the Beau Bells series.

Oranges & Lemons: By the Beau Bells is the first book I've ever read by Jac Franklin. I was not disappointed!

I loved the captivating writing style. I've never been to London in person, but while reading this book, I sure felt like I was there. The author did a phenomenal job bringing London to life.

I fell for the two main characters in this story. Issy has such a strong-willed character who is the pure definition of badass. Beau is a total stud with just the right amount of sweet but dangerous vibes. Their relationship was built so perfectly, and I loved every part of watching their love story develop.

I will now be on the edge of my seat patiently (not so patiently) waiting for a release date for book two in this series!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oranges and Lemons is definitely a five star read! The MFC is Issy who I absolutely adore. She is curvy, confident, and doesn't take crap from people. Did I mention she works at a library and loves wine and chocolate! The only family she has left is an estranged grandfather (George) who is head of a few territories of the mafia in London. Issy has always managed to avoid the mafia lifestyle but George is getting older and Issy is his only heir. George reaching out to her causes her life to completely transform. The MMC Beau is georgeous, funny, a dirty talker, and loves knives! His father Dickie) is a rival mafia boss trying to take territory from George. Once Dickie learns of the existence of Issy, Beau is tasked with trying to seduce her and learn George's secrets. Beau finds out that Issy is not what he expected and instantly falls for her. If you want great characters, chemistry, mafia, and an amazing plot, then this book is perfect for you! This book ends on a major cliffhanger! I can't wait to see what happens next!

[GKP2460 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oranges & Lemons is my first read by this author and if you're seeking an angsty, heartbreaking, consuming story then this is for you. Beau sent to do a seemingly simple task and finds so much more than he bargained for. Issy is the object of his attention, affection, obsession, whatever you want to call it, he's definitely all about Issy.

"There’s no distance on the face of the planet that is far enough for you not to own me. Mind, body and soul, I’m always going to be yours, Princess.”

Danger, chaos and excitement all come into play in this great, fast-paced story and soon Issy discovers more about herself than she anticipated.
"I could feel the edge of shadows whispering to my soul, reminding me who I could be if I stepped out of the light. Darkness was in my blood."

This book ends on a cliffhanger so I'll be sitting on pins and needles anxiously waiting for more of this story!

[Heather Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wasnt my typical mafia book that i usually read and i am so happy about it. This a London mafia book and i found it incredibly unique and intriguing.

Isabel is a sexy curvy FMC librarian whose family is one of a few big mafioso families in London. And usually i love my FMC in the heart of all the violence and i secretly loved that Isabel isnt that girl. She is just a quiet , spicy, curvy , "very bad" librarian. Issy meets Beau who is a proffesor, but also the son of another major mafia family in London. But Beau has some secrets and some ulterior motives. Secrets always come out in the end though.

Jac did a wonderful job with the characters and the character development between Issy and Beau. There are some spikes and twists as well as some spice and violence. Excellent writing.

Check your trigger warnings and it does end on a light cliffhanger. Cant wait to read the next book in the duet.

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

This book felt like a Romeo and Juliet love story combined with an old-school gangster vibe. While marketed as a mafia read, I personally found it leaned more toward traditional gangster elements. The pacing was a challenge—slow-moving for the majority, which tempted me to DNF, but I pushed through. Thankfully, the story picked up toward the end, making it worth finishing.

There’s a cliffhanger, so curiosity got the better of me, and I’m now reading part two to see how it ends. If you’re into slower burns with a vintage gangster aesthetic, this might work for you, but do check the trigger warnings before diving in.

[Neshaisabookworm’s Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure to ARC this book and from the blurb to the dedication to the playlist to the characters and world building, it’s all 5 phenomenal fucking stars!

Issy is the bomb.com and I want to be her friend!

Beau is a fucknugget but he’s Izzy’s fucknugget and I DARE YOU to say that to her face! 😆

Issy proves that a book lover isn’t a pushover. This book is the very definition of fuck around and find out! I loved that energy!!!

Issy and Beau are so incredibly perfect together it’s almost criminal that they’re doomed from the start.

[Amber LeSene · Rating 5 out of 5]

FMC is a librarian, curvy, smart and confident
MMC is morally grey and possessive
Mafia romance that takes place in London

What else could you want?!

This was beautiful written, light for a mafia romance in my humble opinion but very easy to read and get submerged in. There’s lots of twists and secrets and the banter was perfect. Jac has a way with writing that brings her characters to life and makes it easy to forget you’re reading a book. I won’t give too much away as I don’t want to spoil it but definitely check the TW and dive in.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and it’s safe to say I will be devouring her other books. I loved this book, it was really fast moving and was full of twists and turns that kept you hooked and desperate to know what happened next. I love Issy she is a confident, strong woman who is not afraid to go after what she wants. It’s hard to hate Beau even with what he does to Issy, you can’t help but love him as he falls head over heels and you see how he protects her with everything he has. The cliffhanger is a killer but I can’t wait to read more!

[Christina Yau · Rating 5 out of 5]

So ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ this is an original take on mafia books for me... I've never read one taking place in London. Our main characters Beau and Isabel start off with a lie and can their budding romance survive. There are amazing supporting characters and I love them equally in this book. The spice is hot and heavy and it does not disappoint! This is a wild quick read with angst and a bit of a cliff hanger!

[Library.of.linds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oranges and Lemons

I’m a huge fan of Jac, but this was different than her other stories!

Isabel is a shy librarian with no urge to find a man, but when she is found by Beau who is using her to get to her family, she just might change her mind.

This book was super spicy, kinda dark but so freaking good! It might be different than the others I’ve read from Jac but I freaking loved this book! I can’t wait for book two!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
TW: 🖤🖤🖤

[Sadie P L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really glad I'm curious being as found this book intriguing with just it's name.

This was the 2nd book of my holiday and I couldn't put it down. Even skipped the pool to read it

It sent me on a great adventure. I loved both of the characters, easy to love, had me from get go, even my town was in it. I love it even more for that. I loved the setting! great knowledge of London and I loved seeing familiar streets and places in the story. That I ran straight to the 2nd book