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Cruel Affections

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I’m being forced to marry a dangerous mafia man…And I’m thrilled. A little bit of eavesdropping doesn’t hurt, right? Wrong. It gave me front row seat to the Cappalletti’s most private affairs. And there’s no going back. What I know could start a mafia war. They don’t trust me to keep my mouth shut. It’s either marry Dom…. . . Or die. I know I should be terrified. Being shackled to a made man isn’t a life I’d expected. But there’s a growing need inside of me…And he’s the only one that can satisfy it. I’m exactly what he needs…And I’ll do anything to prove it to him. Chance may have made Dom my husband…But choice made him my destiny. Keep Reading A made man with no interest in a relationship, a nosy artist that lands herself in a world of trouble, a fake marriage that is meant to silence them both, an unexpected relationship that brews when they are forced under one roof, and steamy scenes that will leave you sweating.

204 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 22, 2024

383 people are currently reading
127 people want to read

About the author

Kelani Knox

102 books103 followers

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5 stars
279 (46%)
4 stars
160 (26%)
3 stars
104 (17%)
2 stars
39 (6%)
1 star
12 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
Profile Image for Candace.
36 reviews
July 11, 2025
Anticlimactic Forced Marriage

I understand there's only so much that can be included in a 204 page book, but this book could've been so much better. There was no substance and it just made the book fall flat.

First, we get introduced to Dom, the male MC in this book, and I was so close the DNFing the book because of how he spoke about women, the way it was written just felt like he thought he was above and he only looked at women as a means to satisfy his urges.

Then we are introduced to Sidnay, the female MC, I genuinely don't have much to say about her.

*SPOILERS*

Then comes the meat of the story, Sidnay hears something she's not supposed to and consequentially, gets forced into a marriage with Dom, very much your typical forced marriage trope. Where this book falls is that Sidnay and Dom begin their 'relationship' and they are very awkward with each other. Dom also makes it clear he is not happy to be forced into this position. All of which is okay. What makes it bad is that the next chapter after witnessing this awkward behaviour between them, Sidnay sees Dom coming out the bathroom in a towel and then a smut scene happens, it felt so sudden.

There is no proper build up, they both just go from being awkward to being 'in lust' with each other. At least they could've gone from enemies to lovers or even just incorporate some more angst before the realise that they do like each other, this would've have made for a more entertaining read. Instead sex was used as a turning point for their non-existent relationship and it was done poorly.

I say they are 'in lust with each other because I felt no chemistry between Sidnay and Dom. I felt that Dom still looks as women in general and Sidnay as one that satisfies his urges, when Dom said "I love you" on page 197 there was no weight to it and because it feel like there is no love between them. All Dom does is call her beautiful and then proceeds to have sex with her, their relationship is so one-dimensional. At this point I was more interested in the situation with the bodies than the supposed romance between the two MCs.

The MCs had zero emotional chemistry, sure the physical chemistry was there but the emotional side needs to be developed to make the physical chemistry hit. Overall, there was so much potential for this forced marriage trope and it fell incredibly flat.
Profile Image for micaela s.
17 reviews
March 31, 2024
lol I only read this because it was on kindle unlimited
-🌶️Super spicy but not a fan of “i ordered” or “ i command” from the male POV. Like I get the point but that verbiage gives me the ickkkk
-The writing was kinda of repetitive when giving background on characters/situations
-The end was rushed
Profile Image for Victoria Ziglor-smith.
775 reviews5 followers
March 18, 2024
Hot & Sweet

I would love a ride or die man just like Dom. Now a days most men I’ve dealt is between acts like Tim and worse more like Ryan have to put you down just to feel good. The reason I said Tim, he was look for a quick fix instead of putting in the work and being loyal. Now Sidney made a sister smile, one for not backing down and for showing Ryan it was never you. I enjoyed this read. 🙏🏾🥰🙏🏾🥰🙏🏾
Profile Image for Cherryl.
2,155 reviews1 follower
March 14, 2024
She was at the right place at the wrong time

Sidnay Jones was right where she was destined to be. She had sworn off of men because of how her ex, Ryan mentally abused her and beat her self-worth to a pulp. Her being forced into a marriage with Dominic Rosetti was the best thing that happened to her. Even though their marriage was to protect the Cappelletti family, Dom showed her more respect and love than Ryan ever did. Ryan thought he could bully her back to him but she showed him. He got what he deserved. She stood up for herself for the first time in a long time.

These exes were a trip but that did not matter to Sid and Dom. Dom was tired of his one-night stands and friends with bennies arrangements. Sidnay showed him that there was more to a relationship and he was ready for it.
Profile Image for bun reads.
53 reviews
June 3, 2024
I love a short chaotic story but this book is a level of chaos I don’t think I was ready for.
She’s an artist she lives and breathes for her art, we never hear about it past the first chapter.
She has a job yet another thing we never hear about past the first chapter.
The time jumps happen at the most inopportune times.
The most realistic part of this book is her eves dropping on their meeting and sticking around just for curiosity sake.

I would’ve given this book 1/4 star but her beating her abusive ex with a baseball bat earned it one star.
Profile Image for Alexandra.
430 reviews6 followers
June 1, 2024
The pacing of this book is so weird, one minute we went from him thinking about how lame it’s gonna be to get married and not be able to fuck other women to him all of a sudden claiming her and wanting to be with her to falling in love with her. Wild. Also the mafia stuff was very boring and often felt out of place, also how many days does this even span? Bc if you ask me I would say this all happens in a span of three days with how unhinged the pacing is
95 reviews1 follower
March 14, 2024
DNF

I’m sorry I can’t do inconsistency. I don’t like the thing when we pretend the mafia is the boys scouts one second and satanic animal the next. No thank you
2 reviews
June 11, 2024
How did they fall in love they just fucked I'm so confused how she go from terrified to saying she loves him...
Profile Image for  ~*~Princess Nya Vasiliev~*~.
1,176 reviews7 followers
June 20, 2024
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Omgosh! This has to be the most hilariously written simpleton, Mafia LIGHT, story I've EVER read..

Let's just say the cover and synopsis of this book has you thinking you're gonna get some seriously dark intense stuff here.. But you would be very wrong about that😂😂😂

And what makes this even more hilarious is that I'm certain this author did not intend for any of this to be funny😂

What can I say? I need grit with my Mafia tales.. A gripping intense plot. Characters that are not only interesting, but that makes me care about their plight. This brief, 204 page story did not give me any of that. This story also had this Mafia family seem a bit clueless about how things actually work in their world. No handle on what should be a walk in the park for them, when it called for a certain skill set to be used.. It was really bizarre.

Another bizarre thing is that none of these Mafia made men spoke to one another like Italian men would and do. They sounded more like African American males to me with their vernacular used in this story.

Just seems slightly lazy writing to me.. and the Author's prose was just not my cup of tea 🍵 either..

This one got 2 🌟 because it was a quick read. I was actually able to finish it, and it had very few grammar and spelling errors here.
The fact also, that I'm sure this was not intentional, the story still made me laugh.

Though an editor could help with keeping the structure and continuum of a scene moving accurately.. Example: meaning scenes like this .. "First, I helped her to remove all of her clothing.. Once I pulled back from kissing her, I then removed her pants".. OR the scenes start with them sitting on the couch in the living room, then somehow she's being laid down onto the bed.. ???

There was a lot of this going on that threw me out of the scenes, cause it was confusing as to what the set up of the scene actually looks like.. Work on that please.
75 reviews
September 6, 2024
save yourself!

So I don’t usually do reviews but this one had to be done. I know everyone is a critic and opinions are like buttholes,(we all have one), let me say this was the worse mess I’ve had the displeasure of skim reading. The first thing that caught my eye was the powerful cover. I was thinking oh man this look like a page turner then I read the plot. It was shaky but still thought it could be good. Boy was I wrong i read the first 2 chapters and felt like the writing was very immature maybe unrefined , like maybe someone was giving the author a chance, because that’s how it’s reads. The story telling is bad couldn’t go on. So I skipped through. Picked a random chapter further down to see if it helped, nope. The story telling is just horrible I found a”steamy scene” hoping that maybe that’s why ppl were reading this mess. Long story short there is nothing at all redeeming about this read. If I hadn’t gotten this through kindle unlimited I would’ve been pissed I spent the money and would have removed the download. It’s that bad, I would’ve just lost my money than to have it sitting apart of my library. The title doesn’t even match the fumbling of the story🤦🏾‍♀️. You truly can’t judge a book by it cover.
Profile Image for Brandan WH.
655 reviews4 followers
May 29, 2024
Nonstop drama

This was a relatively quick read for me. The cover art is what attracted me to the book and I continued to read only because the story wasn’t very long. It’s your typical mafia story with a bit of a twist.
Sydnay and Dominic are an unlikely pair. One is an artist nerd with curly hair and a curvy body that her ex never appreciated. The other is a made man with a local mafia family, enjoys being a bachelor and is not interested in settling down. So, of course, these two are forced together and we continue to read how they attempt to make it work.
They’re on the same page, the chemistry is believable and the sexy sexy times are well done if not repetitive. I do appreciate that, for once, this isn’t a book about a big bad man taking advantage of the viraginous young woman. Instead, we have two grown people that are trying to make the best of an unexpected situation. Considering that they were secretly attracted to one another and now they’re able to do something about that attraction only adds to the heat.
I don’t think I will continue on with this series, but it was good for what it was.
Profile Image for Adalle.
1,612 reviews8 followers
February 24, 2024
Wonderful Read…

There’s so much I can say about, ‘ Cruel Affections’. But, I’ll just say just this… This book is definitely a game changer in this series.
Each one of the characters stories intermingled so well with each new episode. You can put them together and read them like your binge watching tv. Of course you have your own self made commercials…lol.

Dominic and Sidney are so perfect for each other, their chemistry is amazing. As if they’ve been together forever. You can’t help but feel their strength and their feelings.

I’m so looking forward to seeing what or who’s next.

Any opinions, recommendations, or suggestions expressed within this review are solely and uniquely made by me. I originally and voluntarily received an advanced copy of this book via Bsprout.
215 reviews1 follower
May 27, 2024
Smut Heavy

If you like an insta love forced marriage with tons of smut, Knox has written it to perfection. Sidnay overhears Dom discuss his illegal business plans after months of exchanging glances between them at her job. They are forced to marry, and after only a day, she warms up to him and the mafia lifestyle. Their love was consumed with lust and her insecurities due to her ex and their failed relationship.
The plot of revenge for some fallen brothers felt underdeveloped and rushed. It moved way too fast and fizzled out even quicker. I wish we had gotten more time with Dom and that side of his lifestyle and seen more realistic growth in their marriage.
357 reviews1 follower
June 15, 2024
Unexpected events

Poor Dom, he believed that he had the worst luck. First he was tasked to make a purchase of land and was told that he was expected to get married all in one day. He was attracted to Sidnay but wasn't planning to marry her, but that was the only way to keep her alive and keep their secrets. Then his men were attacked and he was tasked to find the culprits and the bodies that were stolen. And then Sidnay was attacked by her ex and he felt the need to protect his wife. Because they were finally becoming a real couple and realized that they were actually a perfect pair. Made for each other. Another good read.
Profile Image for Tiny.
19 reviews4 followers
November 7, 2024
Choppy wanted more character and relationship building.
The MCs relationship felt like it went from nothing to 100. I wish they built it up more so you could connect with them.
Spoiler...
Also, in the FMC's previous relationship, she was verbally and emotionally abused, yet without knowing the ML, she willingly let him dominate her, listening to every command... felt like it didn't match, and since there was no real building between the 2, it just didn't feel right.
If you're just looking for spice, this might be the book for you, but the connection might not feel real.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Merry Jelks-Emmanuel.
13.2k reviews154 followers
February 19, 2024
When Sidnay offers to drop off some clothes off on her way home, she had no idea that it would change her life. Overhearing a conversation places her life in jeopardy and Dominic agrees to marry her to keep her from being called to testify about what she heard. This story had me all caught up in Dominic and Sidnay and their drama from start to finish.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Nicole.
305 reviews
May 3, 2024
1⭐️

A lot of potential and the plot of the story could’ve been intriguing but for some reason it put me in a slump. Didn’t really connect with Sidnay and Dom, their dynamic was unusual and suddenly whomping x2 times changes everything. I even forgot that I didn’t finish Dante and Montanas book, or else I wouldn’t have read this book. I wanted to like the story but it was just so underwhelming sadly.
Profile Image for Beast.
350 reviews
December 15, 2024
Unexpected union

Don and Sidnay have a crush on each other but they don’t interact with each other. Sidnay finally breaks away from a toxic relationship and swears off men. While running an errand for her coworker, Sidnay hears something she shouldn’t have and is caught. The solution: Don and Sidnay must get married.

I enjoyed this story. The plot was great, the spicy scenes were 🤤. Another kit by Kelani Knox!
1,861 reviews24 followers
February 21, 2024
Being in the wrong place at the wrong time really does not pay. That goes both ways for Sidnay and Dominic. The path they must now follow is not easy especially when exes interfere. A good mafia read and addition to the series.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jazisunray Skillern.
268 reviews3 followers
February 23, 2024
Rule #1, mind your business. What an interesting story. The plot is crazy good. She was only being a good friend. A bad decision takes a horrible turn. Being forced into a scary situation. This handsome bad man isn't what or who she expected him to be. What happens next is an interesting twist on a budding love story. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it.
Profile Image for KaelsyWrites.
15 reviews
May 17, 2024
Smoking hot!

I ate this up! Hot and spicy and Dom is sexy as! My new book fantasy! Lol I liked the way Sidney's character developed - she wasn't just a damsel in distress, she has a bit more about her and she is very relatable.
The sex scenes were deliciously hot making this such an easy read! 🔥🔥🔥
Profile Image for Boxy Frown.
772 reviews16 followers
June 27, 2024
Enjoyable with minor editing issues

3.5 stars
This was a great story and apparently part of a series, but can be read standalone. I enjoyed the book overall but there were editing and continuity issues that took me out of the moment occasionally. I would absolutely read this author again, and you should give this book a try if you are into mafia bad boy romances.
Profile Image for Fern.
750 reviews13 followers
June 19, 2025
This was good! I am also glad that Sidney showed her evil ex-boyfriend, Ryan what he was worth! He had a lot of nerve contacting the police thinking that she would leave her hubby, Dom and return to his worthless ass! (Sorry for the rant!) Anyway, this was a good read! I am glad that Dom and Sidney got their HEA!
8,798 reviews63 followers
February 19, 2024
Sydney eaves dropping leads her to being forced in marriage to mafia boss Dom. As things sizzle between them, will the danger put as stop to them becoming a power couple. Well written steamy action and more.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
663 reviews1 follower
February 24, 2024
genuinely good story

I genuinely enjoyed the story. The storyline is actually really interesting and the characters are very well developed. If you wanna enjoy anything my related and the concept of falling in love, or taking your time to get there is for you.
Profile Image for Louizah Joseph.
7 reviews
March 6, 2024
I finished this book in one setting.
I thought the plot was interesting but not cliche, the characters were likable and shared a lot of chemistry. I loved the characters development the FL experience and I enjoy the interaction between the ML and FL. I was satisfied with the book and hope to continue to read more books from this lovely author.
36 reviews
April 17, 2024
I liked the story line and the characters. The author was detailed in her descriptions of Dominic's role in the mafia family. The fact that he was ordered to marry Sidnay was a page turner forme. Enjoyed reading this book.
5 reviews
May 21, 2024
beautifully written

The author had me in my seat reading this book was a page turner.
This book is open to anyone who enjoys reading this kind of genre
It’s different not the same as other books I’ve read.
4 reviews
June 25, 2024
Great Storyline, Horrible Ending

I would’ve given it five stars from the beginning of the story. It was mysterious and hopeful. Everything in between was great, then comes the ending a little toosimple.might I add.
4 reviews
July 7, 2024
Definitely worth the read

Decent grammar, poor grammar usually stops me from reading an ebook. This one was good. The romance between the two main characters started off slow but then escalated quickly. Overall, great book. Loved the alternating POVs.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews

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