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No Sweeter Poison #2
No Darker Temptation
After a whirlwind summer in Barcelona, Dahlia Rosario struggles to adjust to life back home. New York City feels haunted as memories of the months she spent with Alejandro Narvaez won't leave her in peace. When they parted ways three months prior, they struck a deal. Alejandro would return for her if she asked but only if she decided she was ready to leave everything behind. Ultimately, Dahlia realizes her old life is unfulfilling compared to the future she knows they could have together.
When they reunite, the honeymoon phase is short-lived as the city of Barcelona is dangling at the cusp of a war in the underground world Alejandro lives in. When Alejandro’s long-time rival, Sandro Sandoval, executes a series of underhanded attacks on the Narvaez family, including a threat to Dahlia, all illusions of peace are shattered. Alejandro makes it his mission to destroy the Sandoval family, even at the cost of his allies turning against him. Including Dahlia.
Dahlia struggles to come to terms with the realities of being a mafia Don's partner. She can no longer turn a blind eye to the atrocities she's witnessed, many of them at the hands of Alejandro, whom she accepts with both regret and terror, is not the man she thought…or hoped him to be. A deep-rooted fear of him grabs hold of her, threatening to destroy their relationship and everyone around them.
When they reunite, the honeymoon phase is short-lived as the city of Barcelona is dangling at the cusp of a war in the underground world Alejandro lives in. When Alejandro’s long-time rival, Sandro Sandoval, executes a series of underhanded attacks on the Narvaez family, including a threat to Dahlia, all illusions of peace are shattered. Alejandro makes it his mission to destroy the Sandoval family, even at the cost of his allies turning against him. Including Dahlia.
Dahlia struggles to come to terms with the realities of being a mafia Don's partner. She can no longer turn a blind eye to the atrocities she's witnessed, many of them at the hands of Alejandro, whom she accepts with both regret and terror, is not the man she thought…or hoped him to be. A deep-rooted fear of him grabs hold of her, threatening to destroy their relationship and everyone around them.
330 pages, Paperback
Published January 22, 2024
34 people are currently reading
396 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 16, 2024
I need book three in my hands ASAP! The writing is just so so so beautiful. The way Alejandro expressed his love for Dahlia in the beginning? I ATE IT UP! The way Dahlia was eating up some of the other characters and putting them in their place? I ATE IT UP. But that ENDING?!? OMFG. I need book 3, ASAP!
December 31, 2023
WOW! I have no words. This book was phenomenal! I loved No Sweeter Poison, but I actually loved this second book even more! I enjoyed learning more about Alejandro, his family and their “occupation” hehe I loved how Dahlia expressed her emotions. And I think the internal battle she struggled with was so relatable! And the ending that CLIFFHANGER! Omgosh Leonora definitely left me wanting me! Like when does the third book come out?
January 16, 2024
This book is my new favorite thing , could not put it down!! Alejandro…MY NEW BOOK BOYFRIEND 😭 loved no sweeter poison BUT THIS ONE yeah this the one !!! Obsessed I tell you ! Can not wait for book 3 , that cliffhangerrrrrr omg
January 1, 2024
I absolutely loved this second book in the series!
I loved how deep the author went into their relationship and THAT ENDING 🫠
I loved how deep the author went into their relationship and THAT ENDING 🫠
August 15, 2025
i truly wanted to like this book more and for a little while i though i might but dahlia is so fucking annoying i just can’t get myself to rate this book higher. i don’t understand the authors thought process.. alejandro is so well written and lovable, diego’s amazing and lettie too but dahlia makes this series so hard to read. she’s whiny, weak and undecided on everything. obviously i understand shes “young” but you don’t just say yes to being with a “mafia” boss and then be upset because of who he is? oh and she’s constant contradicting herself! in book one towards the end she was willing to kill for alejandro and found his willingness to kill and die for her hot and now she’s judgey again? and don’t get me started on the spanish discourse. she chose to uproot her life to a spanish speaking country only to not apply herself. at this point i’d rather alejandro back with regina and we barely know shit about them.
i’m undecided on reading book 3 because i don’t think i can take much more of dahlia’s bullshit.
i’m undecided on reading book 3 because i don’t think i can take much more of dahlia’s bullshit.
September 19, 2024
5 stars easy!!! I loved getting more of an insight into dahlia and Alejandro’s relationship and that ending had me reeling!!!
The way I’m thrilled I can start book 3 immediately is no joke!
I loved getting more of an insight into Alejandro’s family and just seeing more sides of him and I love him so much! I also feel like the way dahlia reacts to a lot of situations and really getting in her head was so fun and realistic and understandable! Ugh I just love them!
I surprisingly think I liked No Sweeter Poison more but it would be a close call because both books are phenomenal!!
The way I’m thrilled I can start book 3 immediately is no joke!
I loved getting more of an insight into Alejandro’s family and just seeing more sides of him and I love him so much! I also feel like the way dahlia reacts to a lot of situations and really getting in her head was so fun and realistic and understandable! Ugh I just love them!
I surprisingly think I liked No Sweeter Poison more but it would be a close call because both books are phenomenal!!
January 5, 2024
Oooohhh I just KNEW this book was gonna eat. We turned everything up in book two 🔥 Alejandro on my mind 24/7. Leonora has one of my favorite writing styles, so easy to understand and it makes it that much easier to fly through her books.
But like ….. book three ?!?👀
But like ….. book three ?!?👀
January 26, 2024
Now, this is how you do a second book!! Still had a great plot, violence, and spice. I couldn't put this book down.
I didn't think I could love the MMC anymore, but here we are. He had me SWOONING!
The spice scenes were absolutely epic.
I am waiting on the downfall of two characters and also hoping for two characters to come together!
I can't wait for book 3!!!!
I didn't think I could love the MMC anymore, but here we are. He had me SWOONING!
The spice scenes were absolutely epic.
I am waiting on the downfall of two characters and also hoping for two characters to come together!
I can't wait for book 3!!!!
January 24, 2024
Review:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Tropes:
Dark Mafia Romance
Possessive/Obsessed MMC
Touch her & 💀
Organized Crime
Banter
Spicy af
Incredible Plot
Telenovela Vibes
I cannot believe this book is over, like what in the actual f^ck did I jut read. Leonora you shattered me.
You do need to read book 1, No Sweeter Poision in order to read No Darker Temptation.
This follows the complex relationship between Dahlia and Alejandro, unsure of what’s to come but deciding they cannot live without one another. The banter was top notch in this along with the spice, chaos, slaps, and as Alejandro would say “semantics”
I loved this whole book from start to finish and although I had to keep taking breaks because of Alejandro’s fillthiness, it was a ride. You really see the character growth of the two main characters, Dahlia is so innocent she really doesn’t kno what type of life she is going to have with Alejandro and his “family business” but he reassures her every way possible in order to make it work.
Regina and Brent really suck and I hope they are no longer with us in book 3, you are ruining the vibessss.
This was funny, beautiful, and absolutely CHAOTIC. Leonora you are A MENACE, I still can’t believe you. I need book 3 like yesterday, I really can’t wait.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Tropes:
Dark Mafia Romance
Possessive/Obsessed MMC
Touch her & 💀
Organized Crime
Banter
Spicy af
Incredible Plot
Telenovela Vibes
I cannot believe this book is over, like what in the actual f^ck did I jut read. Leonora you shattered me.
You do need to read book 1, No Sweeter Poision in order to read No Darker Temptation.
This follows the complex relationship between Dahlia and Alejandro, unsure of what’s to come but deciding they cannot live without one another. The banter was top notch in this along with the spice, chaos, slaps, and as Alejandro would say “semantics”
I loved this whole book from start to finish and although I had to keep taking breaks because of Alejandro’s fillthiness, it was a ride. You really see the character growth of the two main characters, Dahlia is so innocent she really doesn’t kno what type of life she is going to have with Alejandro and his “family business” but he reassures her every way possible in order to make it work.
Regina and Brent really suck and I hope they are no longer with us in book 3, you are ruining the vibessss.
This was funny, beautiful, and absolutely CHAOTIC. Leonora you are A MENACE, I still can’t believe you. I need book 3 like yesterday, I really can’t wait.
January 24, 2024
I’ve never needed the next book as much as I need this one!
I am completely and absurdly obsessed with this book. Alejandro and Dahlia are everything 😭
I love the way Alejandro expresses his love and is just overall gone for her. He had me literally gasping. (Should stop gushing about him cause my husband gets jealous 😂) And Dahlia is so sharp-mouth and smart, I love her! I love the way they love each other.
I was not prepared for how hot this book was, like excuse me (during public function, mile-high), but at the same it was also more romantic and swoon-worthy than the first book. “Amor de mi vida, luz de mi Alma.” 🫠 (love of my life, light of my soul)
I simply cannot love this book more. Leonora outdid herself and I am unwell after reading that ending. I miss this book so much already and will probably reread it like, right now.
Leonora, please! I need the third book! 😭
I am completely and absurdly obsessed with this book. Alejandro and Dahlia are everything 😭
I love the way Alejandro expresses his love and is just overall gone for her. He had me literally gasping. (Should stop gushing about him cause my husband gets jealous 😂) And Dahlia is so sharp-mouth and smart, I love her! I love the way they love each other.
I was not prepared for how hot this book was, like excuse me (during public function, mile-high), but at the same it was also more romantic and swoon-worthy than the first book. “Amor de mi vida, luz de mi Alma.” 🫠 (love of my life, light of my soul)
I simply cannot love this book more. Leonora outdid herself and I am unwell after reading that ending. I miss this book so much already and will probably reread it like, right now.
Leonora, please! I need the third book! 😭
January 26, 2024
Happy Pub Day! First I want to say thank you to Leonora for letting me get my hands on the ARC of this book! Second if you loved No Sweeter Poison then you may love this book even more and if you haven’t read No Sweeter Poison go read it right now then read this book immediately after.
I really loved getting to see more of Dahlia and Karina’s relationship. We also got some important history and learned more about some side characters. Dahlia is really relatable with all her vulnerable feelings about how her life is changing and adjusting to transitions. Alejandro is STILL that guy and I loved getting to see the way him and Dahlia handled the new situations that came their way. That cliffhanger has me ready for book 3 right now!
If you have been thinking about picking up this series please do it now!
I really loved getting to see more of Dahlia and Karina’s relationship. We also got some important history and learned more about some side characters. Dahlia is really relatable with all her vulnerable feelings about how her life is changing and adjusting to transitions. Alejandro is STILL that guy and I loved getting to see the way him and Dahlia handled the new situations that came their way. That cliffhanger has me ready for book 3 right now!
If you have been thinking about picking up this series please do it now!
January 29, 2024
(No YOU forgot to write a review! Oops)
I loved returning to Dahlia and Alejandro’s story and the DRAMA! After we start out the story back in the US while Dahlia takes some time to figure out her feelings after the events from book 1, we head back to Spain! We get to learn more about Alejandro’s family and business while they try to work out how to have a normal relationship (kind of hard when your boyfriend is in the mafia!)
I still love that this is set in Spain because it just feels fun for a mafia book.
Out of context spoilers things I love-
Alejandro cooking
Dahlia getting to rehab/design her house
The SPICE is next level
Dahlia finally not being stupid enough to get kidnapped… kind of
The ending?????
Thank you to Leonora for a free advanced copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
I loved returning to Dahlia and Alejandro’s story and the DRAMA! After we start out the story back in the US while Dahlia takes some time to figure out her feelings after the events from book 1, we head back to Spain! We get to learn more about Alejandro’s family and business while they try to work out how to have a normal relationship (kind of hard when your boyfriend is in the mafia!)
I still love that this is set in Spain because it just feels fun for a mafia book.
Out of context spoilers things I love-
Alejandro cooking
Dahlia getting to rehab/design her house
The SPICE is next level
Dahlia finally not being stupid enough to get kidnapped… kind of
The ending?????
Thank you to Leonora for a free advanced copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
March 24, 2024
Omg I need book 3 immediately!!! This was one of those rare instances that I actually preferred book 2 in a series. I’m absolutely frothing at the mouth over Alejandro🥵❤️🔥 There was so much insight given on his past/family dynamics which helped me better understand his overbearing nature. Dahlia is battling internally between walking away from the man she loves for a safer and more conventional life. (rightfully so) Despite all of the obstacles they’ve faced I truly feel the love and am soooo hoping they finally get their happily ever after in book 3🫶 I’m also sensing a Diego and Karina love triangle brewing??! And I’m 10000% here for it🫡
December 26, 2024
I have to skip over a lot of the mafia talk bc I’m here for the love story but omg the bomb that dropped in my stomach when dahlia is assumed dead.. I can’t
I like that dahlia and Alejandro have real problems but their love is palpable.
Also let’s get on with what’s going on with Karina
I don’t think I can continue the series bc I read reviews for the next book and dahlia gets feels for another man????? NO I won’t subject myself to baby Alejandro’s heartbreak sorry
I like that dahlia and Alejandro have real problems but their love is palpable.
Also let’s get on with what’s going on with Karina
I don’t think I can continue the series bc I read reviews for the next book and dahlia gets feels for another man????? NO I won’t subject myself to baby Alejandro’s heartbreak sorry
March 6, 2024
Flew through this ! Couldn’t put it down ate it up
We followed Dahlia and Alejandro the ups and down the good and bad. It’s wild thrilling spicy tense plus laughter and tears too had it all ! Ale okay top book by
Love his character all the feels .
But okay that cliffhanger nooooo
Is there a book 3 ?? I need itttttt
4.5 stars but I’m
Still processing … maybe 5 star
We followed Dahlia and Alejandro the ups and down the good and bad. It’s wild thrilling spicy tense plus laughter and tears too had it all ! Ale okay top book by
Love his character all the feels .
But okay that cliffhanger nooooo
Is there a book 3 ?? I need itttttt
4.5 stars but I’m
Still processing … maybe 5 star
January 9, 2024
The summary for this book was SPOT ON! I loved Alejandro and Dahlia’s journey through the complications of their relationship. There was spice, there was action, there was angst, AND quite the cliffhanger. I can’t wait for the next book!!
January 29, 2024
Dear readers,
I am so proud of No Darker Temptation and hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! Thank you all so much for returning to Dahlia and Alejandro's world and continuing the journey with them. May it be a wild (and spicy) ride!
-Leonora
I am so proud of No Darker Temptation and hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! Thank you all so much for returning to Dahlia and Alejandro's world and continuing the journey with them. May it be a wild (and spicy) ride!
-Leonora
December 30, 2023
Leonora is gonna eats the girls up with the writing! When I tell you, Alejandro has set the bar for real man. There has to be a book 3 because baby I’m sitting on the edge!
January 7, 2024
I’m suffering from severe emotional damage.
February 21, 2024
When is book 3??!!🥺🥺
March 13, 2024
….all I have to say is WHERE IS THE THIRD BOOK!!! How dare she end it like this!!!!! 😫😫😫
March 29, 2024
4.5
Need book 3!
Need book 3!
July 2, 2024
THIS ATEEEE ALSO THE most realistic mafia book ive ever read
January 22, 2025
Loved the plot twist at the end, I love how Alexandro is obsessed did Dalilah…
August 30, 2025
2.75 ⭐️
Sometimes you just need to slap some sense into people
Sometimes you just need to slap some sense into people
October 5, 2025
2.7 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 29, 2025
dnf at 95%
November 5, 2025
I’m bored
January 17, 2024
"No Darker Temptation" is an enthralling 5-star mafia romance that masterfully blends heart-pounding action with just the right amount of spice. I was incredibly grateful to be an arc reader!
Leonora Mendez Castillo has outdone herself in this sequel, offering a much deeper and more intense exploration of Dahlia and Alejandro's complex relationship. The storyline is captivating, keeping me on the edge of my seat as I navigated through the intricacies of their world. The author's ability to balance the thrilling elements of a mafia narrative with the steamy, romantic aspects is commendable. What truly sets this book apart is the cliffhanger ending, which left me eagerly anticipating the third installment.
Castillo has elevated her storytelling in this book, surpassing the depth and intensity of her first novel. For anyone seeking a riveting blend of action and romance, "No Darker Temptation" is a must-read, promising to satisfy fans of the genre with its compelling characters and explosive plot.
Leonora Mendez Castillo has outdone herself in this sequel, offering a much deeper and more intense exploration of Dahlia and Alejandro's complex relationship. The storyline is captivating, keeping me on the edge of my seat as I navigated through the intricacies of their world. The author's ability to balance the thrilling elements of a mafia narrative with the steamy, romantic aspects is commendable. What truly sets this book apart is the cliffhanger ending, which left me eagerly anticipating the third installment.
Castillo has elevated her storytelling in this book, surpassing the depth and intensity of her first novel. For anyone seeking a riveting blend of action and romance, "No Darker Temptation" is a must-read, promising to satisfy fans of the genre with its compelling characters and explosive plot.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews