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Messina Crime Family #4
Savage Wounds
I’m a hunter,
destroying the evil that roams these streets.
That’s always been my focus.
Then I saw her.
My newest obsession.
My deadliest sin.
One look into her eyes, and I knew we were the same.
Hungry for blood.
For revenge.
Hiding behind our secrets.
She has her demons and I have mine. Our scars run so deep, no one knows how much we bleed except the two of us.
She doesn’t know that I’ve been watching her, waiting for my chance to possess her, body and soul. Until all she knows is me.
When I finally tell her who I am, there will be no escaping me.
Because Kayla Jenkins is mine.
destroying the evil that roams these streets.
That’s always been my focus.
Then I saw her.
My newest obsession.
My deadliest sin.
One look into her eyes, and I knew we were the same.
Hungry for blood.
For revenge.
Hiding behind our secrets.
She has her demons and I have mine. Our scars run so deep, no one knows how much we bleed except the two of us.
She doesn’t know that I’ve been watching her, waiting for my chance to possess her, body and soul. Until all she knows is me.
When I finally tell her who I am, there will be no escaping me.
Because Kayla Jenkins is mine.
475 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2024
678 people are currently reading
2468 people want to read
About the author
Lilian Harris
25 books2,009 followersHi! I'm only on Goodreads on occassion. You may find me on my website www.LilianHarris.com
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Or, connect with me through social media.
Thanks!
MAILING LIST: https://lilianharrisauthor.myflodesk....
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https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lilia...
AMAZON:
https://www.amazon.com/Lilian-Harris/...
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/LilianHarrisBooks/
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WEBSITE: lilianharris.com
EMAIL: LilianHarrisAuthor@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 354 reviews
January 8, 2024
Fair warning in between these pages you will find two dark souls, and by the end of this tale I am hoping that you might see some of the light on the other side, as I did
We are back with Adriel & Kayla’s story in the Messina Crime Family series……. You might want to buckle up Ladies. This is going to be a bumpy ride.
His family has no idea who he is or what he became. Nor how long he has been watching them all. Waiting to make them pay, especially her.
Left alone in a dark world without anyone who cared what happened to him……..His life started in the gutter, and he lived there his entire childhood.
He was a foster kid. Beaten. Bruised. Wholly disregarded.
Now he is back to set things right and take his place next to his twin brother Raphael….. or maybe he’ll kill him for stealing his spot with the family, only time will tell
We had met Kayla in the Previous book.
A road trip from Hell. Elsie, Jade, and Kayla. They decided to have one last adventure together before college started.
It’s been four months since Kayla was freed and she Most definitely is struggling
In Kayla’s eyes, this world is full of monsters. Some show their faces, while others hide in plain sight, waiting for their chance to take you alive.
And trust me when I say Kayla knows what she is talking about when it comes to monsters…
See she was. Kidnapped and traffic as a sex slave for over nine years.
Those monsters stripped her of her dignity and pride, and left her body and soul battered for life, well until she met him
Holy smokes these two were Perfection together.
Both of Adriel & Kayla lived through Some seriously traumatic situations and together their damaged and broken souls find unconditional love regardless of their faults and scars.
Honestly, I don’t know who had more Hunger for blood. at times you will wonder who has more Cravings for revenge between Adriel & Kayla…………. Holy heck, the hidden secrets that we found in this tale
May 9, 2024
I'm a sucker for a series ending like this. Bit more murder-y than I like but honestly, it fit them.
I don't want to spoil a single thing and if you just finished Cruel Lies you'll understand what I mean. I was really impressed with how Lilian Harris ended this series. There were a lot of threads to wrap up and hearts to mend. Trauma to address and new love to find in the darkness.
Adriel and Kayla have more than enough trauma to address, and they do it in some very dangerous ways. But it also draws them together and it seems like their jagged edges are the perfect puzzle pieces for each other.
I think you will like this book if you enjoyed Butcher and Blackbird earlier this year, or if you like stalkers and vigilante bad boys.
This was a thrill ride and it was hard to watch at times but I had to keep pushing through and find out the HEA. Lilian Harris really had me hooked.
I look forward to the next spin off series!
I recently reread via audio and the performances by CJ Bloom and JH Harding was very arresting. It made the story come alive in a new way.
5 stars
3 on the spice scale
I don't want to spoil a single thing and if you just finished Cruel Lies you'll understand what I mean. I was really impressed with how Lilian Harris ended this series. There were a lot of threads to wrap up and hearts to mend. Trauma to address and new love to find in the darkness.
Adriel and Kayla have more than enough trauma to address, and they do it in some very dangerous ways. But it also draws them together and it seems like their jagged edges are the perfect puzzle pieces for each other.
I think you will like this book if you enjoyed Butcher and Blackbird earlier this year, or if you like stalkers and vigilante bad boys.
This was a thrill ride and it was hard to watch at times but I had to keep pushing through and find out the HEA. Lilian Harris really had me hooked.
I look forward to the next spin off series!
I recently reread via audio and the performances by CJ Bloom and JH Harding was very arresting. It made the story come alive in a new way.
5 stars
3 on the spice scale
January 18, 2024
This was okay, but honestly, it could've been a few pages shorter.
Adriel (40) and Kayla (28) were two lost souls who had connected with one another. Throughout the book, they battle their own personal demons. I'm happy that they found their own happiness after all the hardships they encountered.
Together, they became a vigilante team and they made it their mission to eliminate the worst people on the planet.
That's actually the focus of the story: their killing stunt, steamy scenes, finding a serial killer, and Adriel facing his mother, who left him and his new-found family.
Like I said, this could've been shorter because the killing spree of the MCs and their spicy scenes took up a huge part of the story. It became sort of repetitive, and I ended up skimming some of those scenes.
I honestly wish Adriel and his mother had talked things out way earlier so that readers could still see how they try to build their relationship. I know it was hard, and that's why I'm invested in seeing how they will make up for the lost time. But the majority of this make-up became more about telling than showing. I'm actually amazed that Adriel forgave her and gave her and her family a chance.
As for Kayla, I'm sad that the chance to bear a child was taken away from her. I felt her pain when that news was dropped on her. But I'm glad that she still became a mother, and I know she'll be a great one at that.
But I do have an issue, and this is probably a me problem. I didn't like that Adriel only said "I love you" at the 99% of the book, literally one paragraph away from the words "The end."
Although I understand that he has no experience with love, it didn't sit well with me that he had lived with Kayla for nearly two years without ever saying those words. For me, actions alone are insufficient; I also need words. Kayla, on the other hand, was far more understanding when she said that she didn't need to hear those three words from him because his actions spoke for themselves and showed her how much he loved her.
But when Adriel freaking finally said the dreaded "I love you", the relief and exhilaration she felt after hearing he loved her was so palpable that instead of feeling overjoyed, I only felt annoyance because he deprived her of that happiness, assurance, and affirmation.
Then, when Adriel saw the relief in Kayla, he vowed to always tell her how much he loved her until his dying breath. Is this supposed to be swoony? Because honestly, I find this irritating. He shouldn't have waited that long to express his affection for her; she deserves so much better than that. 😑
Anyway, this was okay; some parts were good, but others felt flat. Still intriguing nonetheless.
Book info:
- Violence, murder, torture, death
- Stalking
- Hidden identify
- Sexual assault (past, on page)
- No cheating, opd, breakup
- Serial killing
- Kidnapping
- Self harm
- HEA
Adriel (40) and Kayla (28) were two lost souls who had connected with one another. Throughout the book, they battle their own personal demons. I'm happy that they found their own happiness after all the hardships they encountered.
Together, they became a vigilante team and they made it their mission to eliminate the worst people on the planet.
That's actually the focus of the story: their killing stunt, steamy scenes, finding a serial killer, and Adriel facing his mother, who left him and his new-found family.
Like I said, this could've been shorter because the killing spree of the MCs and their spicy scenes took up a huge part of the story. It became sort of repetitive, and I ended up skimming some of those scenes.
I honestly wish Adriel and his mother had talked things out way earlier so that readers could still see how they try to build their relationship. I know it was hard, and that's why I'm invested in seeing how they will make up for the lost time. But the majority of this make-up became more about telling than showing. I'm actually amazed that Adriel forgave her and gave her and her family a chance.
As for Kayla, I'm sad that the chance to bear a child was taken away from her. I felt her pain when that news was dropped on her. But I'm glad that she still became a mother, and I know she'll be a great one at that.
But I do have an issue, and this is probably a me problem. I didn't like that Adriel only said "I love you" at the 99% of the book, literally one paragraph away from the words "The end."
Although I understand that he has no experience with love, it didn't sit well with me that he had lived with Kayla for nearly two years without ever saying those words. For me, actions alone are insufficient; I also need words. Kayla, on the other hand, was far more understanding when she said that she didn't need to hear those three words from him because his actions spoke for themselves and showed her how much he loved her.
But when Adriel freaking finally said the dreaded "I love you", the relief and exhilaration she felt after hearing he loved her was so palpable that instead of feeling overjoyed, I only felt annoyance because he deprived her of that happiness, assurance, and affirmation.
Then, when Adriel saw the relief in Kayla, he vowed to always tell her how much he loved her until his dying breath. Is this supposed to be swoony? Because honestly, I find this irritating. He shouldn't have waited that long to express his affection for her; she deserves so much better than that. 😑
Anyway, this was okay; some parts were good, but others felt flat. Still intriguing nonetheless.
Book info:
- Violence, murder, torture, death
- Stalking
- Hidden identify
- Sexual assault (past, on page)
- No cheating, opd, breakup
- Serial killing
- Kidnapping
- Self harm
- HEA
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2024
Kayla & A are so broken and yet so perfect for each other.
January 9, 2024
as always, i’m a last book in the series girlie.
this book was quite literally MADE FOR ME!!!! i’m convinced. mafia found family series will always HIT for me, and this one is no exception.
adriel and kayla were everything. i sobbed at the epilogue, and this book kept me on the edge of my dang seat.
tropes: masked stalker, jealous and possessive hero, only soft with her, they k word people together, emotional
this book was quite literally MADE FOR ME!!!! i’m convinced. mafia found family series will always HIT for me, and this one is no exception.
adriel and kayla were everything. i sobbed at the epilogue, and this book kept me on the edge of my dang seat.
tropes: masked stalker, jealous and possessive hero, only soft with her, they k word people together, emotional
January 4, 2024
ALL! THE! STARS!!!!
OMG!! Why have I not read anything by Lilian before!? Why has no one pushed me to read her?? This blurb hooked me immediately and I knew I had to read this one. However, I was so not prepared for what was on these pages and all that transpired. I FREAKING LOVED IT!!!!
If you are new to Lilian Harris - let me be the one to urge you to read her books - NOW!!! If you are a dark romance lover like me, just add her all books to your list and start reading.
Ok - onto the book itself. Savage Wounds is book 4 of the Messina Crime Family. However, you can easily read Savage Wounds without reading any of the previous books. I can attest to this as this is my first book by Lilian and not once felt like I was missing anything or needed more information about the families to dive straight into this and feel fully invested in these characters and their story.
Savage Wounds features Kayla and Adriel. I won't give any details away that will spoil even the smallest bit of the plot away. These two are fighting their own demons in so many ways and it's quite intriguing how it all plays out. The secrets, the twists intertwined with mafia drama - it's all fantastic and weaves together beautifully.
I love how Lilian writes a very dark, gritty and enthralling dark, stalker romance that takes us from feeling stabby right along with Kayla and Adriel to loving them, darkness and all.
I could not put this book down once I started it. I loved how it all played out and how we watched these characters grow yet stay true to themselves.
Just go read this book already - it's fantastic and you won't regret it.
OMG!! Why have I not read anything by Lilian before!? Why has no one pushed me to read her?? This blurb hooked me immediately and I knew I had to read this one. However, I was so not prepared for what was on these pages and all that transpired. I FREAKING LOVED IT!!!!
If you are new to Lilian Harris - let me be the one to urge you to read her books - NOW!!! If you are a dark romance lover like me, just add her all books to your list and start reading.
Ok - onto the book itself. Savage Wounds is book 4 of the Messina Crime Family. However, you can easily read Savage Wounds without reading any of the previous books. I can attest to this as this is my first book by Lilian and not once felt like I was missing anything or needed more information about the families to dive straight into this and feel fully invested in these characters and their story.
Savage Wounds features Kayla and Adriel. I won't give any details away that will spoil even the smallest bit of the plot away. These two are fighting their own demons in so many ways and it's quite intriguing how it all plays out. The secrets, the twists intertwined with mafia drama - it's all fantastic and weaves together beautifully.
I love how Lilian writes a very dark, gritty and enthralling dark, stalker romance that takes us from feeling stabby right along with Kayla and Adriel to loving them, darkness and all.
I could not put this book down once I started it. I loved how it all played out and how we watched these characters grow yet stay true to themselves.
Just go read this book already - it's fantastic and you won't regret it.
January 15, 2024
4 5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I was waiting for this so long.
It took a little time for me to get into the book because of whole Chris thing. I had an inkling about this but Adriel refering Chris as him and all messed up a bit. But throughout the whole story I was on edge. The suspense was nice and unpredictable.
My heart goes out for Adriel, like to feel what kind of life a person has been living if he needs to ask that if he is hugging her right!! Gaaahhhhh!!!!!!!!
Throughout the story I just wanted to hug Adriel.
Kayla, we have met her in previous book, but here we get to see the real her. What she has been through was already horrible. I really loved how Kayla was with Adriel how she understood him.
The whole plot was amazing and heart wrenching as well. The ending felt bit rushed to me but overall the whole story was keeping me on edge and the twist was amazing and unpredictable. I wanted more of Adriel's family dynamic with him and their redemption towards him. That guy had gone through so much and rushing that family dynamic part and not making his mother and brother redeem themselves was not impressive or even right.
Apart from that aspect I enjoyed thisss one alot.😍
I was waiting for this so long.
It took a little time for me to get into the book because of whole Chris thing. I had an inkling about this but Adriel refering Chris as him and all messed up a bit. But throughout the whole story I was on edge. The suspense was nice and unpredictable.
My heart goes out for Adriel, like to feel what kind of life a person has been living if he needs to ask that if he is hugging her right!! Gaaahhhhh!!!!!!!!
Throughout the story I just wanted to hug Adriel.
Kayla, we have met her in previous book, but here we get to see the real her. What she has been through was already horrible. I really loved how Kayla was with Adriel how she understood him.
The whole plot was amazing and heart wrenching as well. The ending felt bit rushed to me but overall the whole story was keeping me on edge and the twist was amazing and unpredictable. I wanted more of Adriel's family dynamic with him and their redemption towards him. That guy had gone through so much and rushing that family dynamic part and not making his mother and brother redeem themselves was not impressive or even right.
Apart from that aspect I enjoyed thisss one alot.😍
December 28, 2023
ARC REVIEW..
God!! This is my favourite book and the best book I've read in my lifee...
Lillian has me hook, line, and sinker. She writes it I'm reading it. I read it this book in about 5 hours, and I gave it 5 stars because I would read this again.
I've never been more into a story than this. Yes, it's graphic but it makes you realize that this stuff actually happens in our world and it's not to be taken lightly. The love and determination that Adriel has into getting Kayla back is admirable no matter how their relationship started. It's beautiful to want to have someone love you so much and take your pain as their own.
All I can is, this book destroyed me in the best way. I can't even describe how I feel about this book. I'll advise you read the trigger warnings first but if you're into dark romance, you'll absolutely love this.
God!! This is my favourite book and the best book I've read in my lifee...
Lillian has me hook, line, and sinker. She writes it I'm reading it. I read it this book in about 5 hours, and I gave it 5 stars because I would read this again.
I've never been more into a story than this. Yes, it's graphic but it makes you realize that this stuff actually happens in our world and it's not to be taken lightly. The love and determination that Adriel has into getting Kayla back is admirable no matter how their relationship started. It's beautiful to want to have someone love you so much and take your pain as their own.
All I can is, this book destroyed me in the best way. I can't even describe how I feel about this book. I'll advise you read the trigger warnings first but if you're into dark romance, you'll absolutely love this.
July 20, 2024
Це була значно інша книга, якщо порівнювати з попередніми.
Вона була значно темнішою🖤
Але мені сподобалась. Тому теж тверда 4.
Кадрієль - просто в саме ❤️🔥
Вона була значно темнішою🖤
Але мені сподобалась. Тому теж тверда 4.
Кадрієль - просто в саме ❤️🔥
May 14, 2024
'Mama Mafia, here we go again with the Messina Crime Family! Kayla and 'A' paint the town red with their dark, twisted & beautiful romance' - The British Bibliophile
Thank you to Lilian Harris for sending me an ebook Advanced Readers Copy for me to read and leave an honest review as part of her ARC/Promo team.
NOTE - This review will be spoiler-free but will contain references to previous books in the series, as well as to this books' blurb. If you wish to go into this book without knowing anything about it, please scroll away from my review now :)
Savage Wounds is book four in Lilian Harris' Messina Crime Family series. The Messina Crime Family series is a dark, mafia romance series centred around the raw, the guttural and brutish. Book four turns its attention to Kayla and 'A', whom you will all get to meet but for those who are impatient...he is Adriel.
Kayla is a familiar face to the series, her character having been mentioned here and there. Adriel? A newly familiar face whom we would soon be getting to know in all of his gore-ish glory.
I've been lucky to have followed this series from its conception. A privilege not often had as a reader in a pool of both new and pre-existing authors. Lilian was one of those 'new to me' authors back when I read book one's ebook ARC ( Sinful Vows ) and thanks to her captivating writing and equally as amazing stories and characters, cemented herself as one of my favourite authors of last year. The Messina Crime family knocked my socks off as one of the best mafia/dark romance book series' I've ever read, so adding to the already existing three books with a fourth? The excitement was real.
A hunter is always focused on who or what is his prey. He never wanders or wavers. Target locked and loaded in his sights, nothing else matters. That is, until she comes into his view. Adriel's eyes once locked on the outwardly angelic Kayla, became his newest obsession and his most deadliest of sins. One look into her beautiful, captivating eyes and Adriel knew that in a world of uncertainty, he knew for certain that she was the same as him.
Kayla and Adriel are hungry for blood, revenge and both hide behind the endless mountain of secrets that pile up each time they meet. Both of them have their own demons sitting on each of their shoulders, their scars running just as deep. It's thrilling to know that only the other knows they bleed. A shared, sinful secret.
But there is something Kayla doesn't know about Adriel. He's been watching her. She doesn't know how long his eyes have been on her and his feet carrying his body, following her every physical move from the shadows. He's biding his time and waiting for the right chance to possess her both in body and in soul until all she lives, breaths and knows is him. Only, him.
When all the truths are out and secrets laid bare for Kayla to see, once she knows who her beloved 'A' really is, there will be no escaping him. If he was stalkers and possessive before she knew? Prepare for that to be maxed up and out. Why? Because Kayla Jenkins, is his .
Right from the start, this series does not hold back in any way, shape or form. That is just one of the reasons I admire Lilian and this series so much. As a dark romance lover who isn't afraid of triggers, nothing is off the table and the warnings before the first page weren't that to me. They were an invitation to see just how dark, gruesome and bloody things could be. I wasn't disappointed. By far and large out of the four books now available in this series, this has to be the most out of those three former things mentioned. Bravo to Lilian for just going at it with no mercy, because I lapped up every word and was greedily hungry for more!
Adriel and Kayla were a powerhouse of a duo right from the outset, even if one half of that duo wasn't aware of what her partner was keeping from her. Who he was. What he was. Seeing them mirror each other and not just compliment each other by filling in what the other is missing, was a refreshing change. Usually two people so similar like these two, butt heads. Not this pair. They metaphorically shook hands--as well as other things--and decided to take on the world and rid it of its filth. One person at a time. They are a duo to rival all others within the series, and have well-earned the right to stand alongside them in the Messina Crime Family.
For a while, this was sitting at a very strong and proud four stars. I was just waiting for that special something to kick it up to five and in classic Lilian Harris style, that thing came along right when you least expected it to in the third act almost to the end, to bump it up to a stellar five. Thinking that I had it all figured out, Lilian came in with a secondary surprise to show me--and everyone else--why she is brilliant at what she does. You'll get to this point yourselves and when you do, you'll know why it was the thing to make this a five star read. Joining all the others in the series with that coveted rating from me.
I could happily read about this couple and their adventures together forever, but I am fully satisfied with the ending and that this was the read to carry me out of 2023 with a very satisfied smile on my face.
Thank you Lilian! Thank you so, so much.
----------
Audiobook ALC Review -- 14.05.24 -- 5 stars
Are you ready for Savage Wounds to be taken to a whole new level with its audiobook adaptation? Yes? Good! Because its here and its an audiobook adventure that you surely should not miss. If you were a fan of the ebook/paperback version, couple it with this and you’ll appreciate Lilian’s writing even more than you do already.
When I tell you I was ecstatic to see the news that the ALC of this audiobook would soon be landing in my inbox? I’m not lying. Lilian is always a reason to be ecstatic in the first place, be it anything about her or her work, but her audiobooks are truly something special to be enjoyed by anyone who loves to hear the adventures in the book play out in their ears. I am, for sure. Especially with two narrators that I haven’t had the pleasure of listening to before, at the helm.
It’s been a hot minute since the audiobook for the previous book in the series, Twisted Promises, so lets jump right into this!
Taking on the reins for this next chapter, pun intended, of the audiobook releases are as I mentioned, two narrators that I had yet to listen to as a listener of audiobooks. These are two that I have seen narrate other books that my fellow readers have shared, so I am familiar with their names at least. Stepping into the shoes as our FMC is CJ Bloom and with her, our MMC, ‘A’/Adriel is JF Harding. It’s always a great time getting familiar with new-to-me-narrators, and Lilian doesn’t pick anyone less than suitable for the role so already before listening to them both, I held my full faith in them.
If you’re like me, you’ve already read the story and therefore will be fully familiar with the storyline/plot. This, however, is not a negative. Audiobooks elevate the story to a new level, I always feel, so it never feels like you’re going into listening to one knowing the story already. I’m pleased to say that this is once more the case with Savage Wound’s audiobook. Zero complaints from me about any aspect of this book-to-audiobook adaptation. My faith wasn’t lost in Lilian’s choices of narrators, and as was the case with Twisted Promises’ audiobook, several pauses had to be done throughout because w.o.a.h, a cooldown was a must. Stellar performances by both, so worthy of a round of applause.
CJ Bloom was the perfect Kayla Jenkins. This role was meant to be hers and where I usually put female narrators on a faster listening speed, I kept CJ at the regular x1 and thoroughly enjoyed her performance. Genuinely impressed with how she embodied Kayla’s character, narrating A’s/Adriel’s parts in the ‘man voice’ we readers love that female narrators do perfectly. Which CJ did here. Open to hearing her return for more Lilian audiobooks in the future, if asked.
Now, lets talk JF Harding. His character of ‘A’/Adriel was already a knockout to me as a reader who loves her gritty, dark MMCs, so I knew I had to brace myself for whoever it was that would be narrating his POV. I was right to do so, for all the right reasons. JF really stepped up the character’s power, darkness and all the delicious bits we read about, now said aloud. I think his portrayal of ‘A’/Adrial might be on of my favourites yet. Infinite star-rated performance!
Eleven and a half hours simply flew by with another highly enjoyable audiobook from one of my favourite authors, with two narrators who I will now be looking into their previous works to add to my ‘to listen’ list. Thank you all, for this gem of a listen!
Thank you to Lilian Harris for sending me an ebook Advanced Readers Copy for me to read and leave an honest review as part of her ARC/Promo team.
NOTE - This review will be spoiler-free but will contain references to previous books in the series, as well as to this books' blurb. If you wish to go into this book without knowing anything about it, please scroll away from my review now :)
Savage Wounds is book four in Lilian Harris' Messina Crime Family series. The Messina Crime Family series is a dark, mafia romance series centred around the raw, the guttural and brutish. Book four turns its attention to Kayla and 'A', whom you will all get to meet but for those who are impatient...he is Adriel.
Kayla is a familiar face to the series, her character having been mentioned here and there. Adriel? A newly familiar face whom we would soon be getting to know in all of his gore-ish glory.
I've been lucky to have followed this series from its conception. A privilege not often had as a reader in a pool of both new and pre-existing authors. Lilian was one of those 'new to me' authors back when I read book one's ebook ARC ( Sinful Vows ) and thanks to her captivating writing and equally as amazing stories and characters, cemented herself as one of my favourite authors of last year. The Messina Crime family knocked my socks off as one of the best mafia/dark romance book series' I've ever read, so adding to the already existing three books with a fourth? The excitement was real.
A hunter is always focused on who or what is his prey. He never wanders or wavers. Target locked and loaded in his sights, nothing else matters. That is, until she comes into his view. Adriel's eyes once locked on the outwardly angelic Kayla, became his newest obsession and his most deadliest of sins. One look into her beautiful, captivating eyes and Adriel knew that in a world of uncertainty, he knew for certain that she was the same as him.
Kayla and Adriel are hungry for blood, revenge and both hide behind the endless mountain of secrets that pile up each time they meet. Both of them have their own demons sitting on each of their shoulders, their scars running just as deep. It's thrilling to know that only the other knows they bleed. A shared, sinful secret.
But there is something Kayla doesn't know about Adriel. He's been watching her. She doesn't know how long his eyes have been on her and his feet carrying his body, following her every physical move from the shadows. He's biding his time and waiting for the right chance to possess her both in body and in soul until all she lives, breaths and knows is him. Only, him.
When all the truths are out and secrets laid bare for Kayla to see, once she knows who her beloved 'A' really is, there will be no escaping him. If he was stalkers and possessive before she knew? Prepare for that to be maxed up and out. Why? Because Kayla Jenkins, is his .
Right from the start, this series does not hold back in any way, shape or form. That is just one of the reasons I admire Lilian and this series so much. As a dark romance lover who isn't afraid of triggers, nothing is off the table and the warnings before the first page weren't that to me. They were an invitation to see just how dark, gruesome and bloody things could be. I wasn't disappointed. By far and large out of the four books now available in this series, this has to be the most out of those three former things mentioned. Bravo to Lilian for just going at it with no mercy, because I lapped up every word and was greedily hungry for more!
Adriel and Kayla were a powerhouse of a duo right from the outset, even if one half of that duo wasn't aware of what her partner was keeping from her. Who he was. What he was. Seeing them mirror each other and not just compliment each other by filling in what the other is missing, was a refreshing change. Usually two people so similar like these two, butt heads. Not this pair. They metaphorically shook hands--as well as other things--and decided to take on the world and rid it of its filth. One person at a time. They are a duo to rival all others within the series, and have well-earned the right to stand alongside them in the Messina Crime Family.
For a while, this was sitting at a very strong and proud four stars. I was just waiting for that special something to kick it up to five and in classic Lilian Harris style, that thing came along right when you least expected it to in the third act almost to the end, to bump it up to a stellar five. Thinking that I had it all figured out, Lilian came in with a secondary surprise to show me--and everyone else--why she is brilliant at what she does. You'll get to this point yourselves and when you do, you'll know why it was the thing to make this a five star read. Joining all the others in the series with that coveted rating from me.
I could happily read about this couple and their adventures together forever, but I am fully satisfied with the ending and that this was the read to carry me out of 2023 with a very satisfied smile on my face.
Thank you Lilian! Thank you so, so much.
----------
Audiobook ALC Review -- 14.05.24 -- 5 stars
Are you ready for Savage Wounds to be taken to a whole new level with its audiobook adaptation? Yes? Good! Because its here and its an audiobook adventure that you surely should not miss. If you were a fan of the ebook/paperback version, couple it with this and you’ll appreciate Lilian’s writing even more than you do already.
When I tell you I was ecstatic to see the news that the ALC of this audiobook would soon be landing in my inbox? I’m not lying. Lilian is always a reason to be ecstatic in the first place, be it anything about her or her work, but her audiobooks are truly something special to be enjoyed by anyone who loves to hear the adventures in the book play out in their ears. I am, for sure. Especially with two narrators that I haven’t had the pleasure of listening to before, at the helm.
It’s been a hot minute since the audiobook for the previous book in the series, Twisted Promises, so lets jump right into this!
Taking on the reins for this next chapter, pun intended, of the audiobook releases are as I mentioned, two narrators that I had yet to listen to as a listener of audiobooks. These are two that I have seen narrate other books that my fellow readers have shared, so I am familiar with their names at least. Stepping into the shoes as our FMC is CJ Bloom and with her, our MMC, ‘A’/Adriel is JF Harding. It’s always a great time getting familiar with new-to-me-narrators, and Lilian doesn’t pick anyone less than suitable for the role so already before listening to them both, I held my full faith in them.
If you’re like me, you’ve already read the story and therefore will be fully familiar with the storyline/plot. This, however, is not a negative. Audiobooks elevate the story to a new level, I always feel, so it never feels like you’re going into listening to one knowing the story already. I’m pleased to say that this is once more the case with Savage Wound’s audiobook. Zero complaints from me about any aspect of this book-to-audiobook adaptation. My faith wasn’t lost in Lilian’s choices of narrators, and as was the case with Twisted Promises’ audiobook, several pauses had to be done throughout because w.o.a.h, a cooldown was a must. Stellar performances by both, so worthy of a round of applause.
CJ Bloom was the perfect Kayla Jenkins. This role was meant to be hers and where I usually put female narrators on a faster listening speed, I kept CJ at the regular x1 and thoroughly enjoyed her performance. Genuinely impressed with how she embodied Kayla’s character, narrating A’s/Adriel’s parts in the ‘man voice’ we readers love that female narrators do perfectly. Which CJ did here. Open to hearing her return for more Lilian audiobooks in the future, if asked.
Now, lets talk JF Harding. His character of ‘A’/Adriel was already a knockout to me as a reader who loves her gritty, dark MMCs, so I knew I had to brace myself for whoever it was that would be narrating his POV. I was right to do so, for all the right reasons. JF really stepped up the character’s power, darkness and all the delicious bits we read about, now said aloud. I think his portrayal of ‘A’/Adrial might be on of my favourites yet. Infinite star-rated performance!
Eleven and a half hours simply flew by with another highly enjoyable audiobook from one of my favourite authors, with two narrators who I will now be looking into their previous works to add to my ‘to listen’ list. Thank you all, for this gem of a listen!
January 4, 2024
We have a second chance. Something to live for.
But me?
I’m still there, trapped in a timeless loop of hell.
Free of the chains that held until you bled.
Sleep still escapes you of the monsters that roam from your memories.
Can you ever move on and be the person you were before?
Or have the monsters dug their claws in too deeply?
I want them all to suffer. I want them all to pay.
The one last girl road trip turned into a deadly life changing event and now years later they are all rescued, fallen in love and starting over with their lives with the scars healing.
Kayla however, is struggling wearing her mask of smiles and is wearing thin and knowing that others are still suffering at the hands of monsters that walk in plain sight…it’s eating away at her.
Kayla never got to seek her own revenge on the men that tormented, hurt and ripped away the girl she once was. Their blood may have been wiped clean away…but now Kayla has a thirst for seeking out others that are causing harm and when an opportunity arises Kayla is unable to hold back.
Only now someone in the shadows is watching her with fascination and comes forward, not to stop Kayla but to help clean the blood from her hands…and now is by her side whenever she feels the pull to rid the world of another monster preying on the weak.
You don’t like nice. You like crazy and rough and wildly intense.
With her past, Kayla can’t understand her desire towards this mystery man ‘A’ and why he seems to be the only one to bring her back to life. Kayla knows that she’s changed and is even starting to feel free to be who she wants to be…and ‘A’ is the only man who allows her to be this strong woman. He encourages her, touches her soul like no other and Kayla is able to leave herself bare-scars and all to him.
If only ‘A’ would reveal his true identity and lower his mask just once…
But, could this ruin everything between them and have Kayla running from his grasp? As one thing is clear, Kayla is his and Kayla might allow ‘A’ to claim her…
Kayla needs to be careful though as there’s a new demon hunting the midnight streets…
“Don’t tempt the devil. He may come out to play.”
“I’m every bit the devil you are.”
I am absolutely blown away by this story! I can’t believe the journey that Lilian has taken us on with this series and now with Kayla & ‘A’ story!
In the previous book we were left with a cliffhanger of a mystery character ‘A’ and now his story has been uncovered within these pages. My my, what a past he has and now seeking revenge on the family that abandoned him. Then knowing about Kayla through the other girls it’s now her story coming to life.
Wow, just totally wow! I was left stunned and my mind spinning as this story grew and grew, I loved how strong both characters were. The amount of detail that Lilian brings out of each character is heartbreakingly good, this story goes beyond being a dark romance and the depth of emotions were amazing.
Kayla was a very different character, she holds her secrets and how exposed she becomes allowing this new feeling to take over, a release unlike anything she thought possible. ‘A’ is there for every blood drop of the way and I loved how this bond was formed between them. ‘A’ has never been allowed a soft touch and only knows the harsh wip of life…watching both of these characters heal and bring each other strength was a beauty to read.
I’ve always loved the previous characters within this series, to name an important one is Sophia, she really is the light and pure goodness you can’t help but love any scene she is in. She’s come on leaps and bounces even to ‘A’ & Kayla she brings a fun element on those dark pages helping to balance out this bitter sweet story.
Will Lilian make you gasp and read past your bedtime??
“You’re my little sinner, taking me to hell with you.”
“We’ve already been to hell. Maybe this is our reward.”
But me?
I’m still there, trapped in a timeless loop of hell.
Free of the chains that held until you bled.
Sleep still escapes you of the monsters that roam from your memories.
Can you ever move on and be the person you were before?
Or have the monsters dug their claws in too deeply?
I want them all to suffer. I want them all to pay.
The one last girl road trip turned into a deadly life changing event and now years later they are all rescued, fallen in love and starting over with their lives with the scars healing.
Kayla however, is struggling wearing her mask of smiles and is wearing thin and knowing that others are still suffering at the hands of monsters that walk in plain sight…it’s eating away at her.
Kayla never got to seek her own revenge on the men that tormented, hurt and ripped away the girl she once was. Their blood may have been wiped clean away…but now Kayla has a thirst for seeking out others that are causing harm and when an opportunity arises Kayla is unable to hold back.
Only now someone in the shadows is watching her with fascination and comes forward, not to stop Kayla but to help clean the blood from her hands…and now is by her side whenever she feels the pull to rid the world of another monster preying on the weak.
You don’t like nice. You like crazy and rough and wildly intense.
With her past, Kayla can’t understand her desire towards this mystery man ‘A’ and why he seems to be the only one to bring her back to life. Kayla knows that she’s changed and is even starting to feel free to be who she wants to be…and ‘A’ is the only man who allows her to be this strong woman. He encourages her, touches her soul like no other and Kayla is able to leave herself bare-scars and all to him.
If only ‘A’ would reveal his true identity and lower his mask just once…
But, could this ruin everything between them and have Kayla running from his grasp? As one thing is clear, Kayla is his and Kayla might allow ‘A’ to claim her…
Kayla needs to be careful though as there’s a new demon hunting the midnight streets…
“Don’t tempt the devil. He may come out to play.”
“I’m every bit the devil you are.”
I am absolutely blown away by this story! I can’t believe the journey that Lilian has taken us on with this series and now with Kayla & ‘A’ story!
In the previous book we were left with a cliffhanger of a mystery character ‘A’ and now his story has been uncovered within these pages. My my, what a past he has and now seeking revenge on the family that abandoned him. Then knowing about Kayla through the other girls it’s now her story coming to life.
Wow, just totally wow! I was left stunned and my mind spinning as this story grew and grew, I loved how strong both characters were. The amount of detail that Lilian brings out of each character is heartbreakingly good, this story goes beyond being a dark romance and the depth of emotions were amazing.
Kayla was a very different character, she holds her secrets and how exposed she becomes allowing this new feeling to take over, a release unlike anything she thought possible. ‘A’ is there for every blood drop of the way and I loved how this bond was formed between them. ‘A’ has never been allowed a soft touch and only knows the harsh wip of life…watching both of these characters heal and bring each other strength was a beauty to read.
I’ve always loved the previous characters within this series, to name an important one is Sophia, she really is the light and pure goodness you can’t help but love any scene she is in. She’s come on leaps and bounces even to ‘A’ & Kayla she brings a fun element on those dark pages helping to balance out this bitter sweet story.
Will Lilian make you gasp and read past your bedtime??
“You’re my little sinner, taking me to hell with you.”
“We’ve already been to hell. Maybe this is our reward.”
January 18, 2024
4.5 stars.
I can’t believe this is the last book of the Messina Crime Family series. 🥲
This is a gripping masked stalker romance filled with suspense and plot twists that I had no idea was coming. It is also a dark romance with serial killers who kill bad people that they encounter or are getting back at. I haven’t read a romance with a masked MMC, but this one was done really well! Lilian just has a way of including plot/plot twists/spice in these books that make them addicting!
This can be read as a standalone, but I recommend starting from book 1 since the characters from other books flow to each other.
I can’t believe this is the last book of the Messina Crime Family series. 🥲
This is a gripping masked stalker romance filled with suspense and plot twists that I had no idea was coming. It is also a dark romance with serial killers who kill bad people that they encounter or are getting back at. I haven’t read a romance with a masked MMC, but this one was done really well! Lilian just has a way of including plot/plot twists/spice in these books that make them addicting!
This can be read as a standalone, but I recommend starting from book 1 since the characters from other books flow to each other.
September 12, 2025
"Nunca he sentido lo que sea que me estás haciendo. Nunca lo pedí. Nunca lo quise. Ni siquiera sabía que existía. Hasta ti"
Help me, me la pase todo el libro queriendo meter a Kayla y Adriel en una cajita de cristal para que no les hagan daño 😭♥️. Esta de más decir que ame el libro de principio a fin 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kayla se llevo mi corazón, la verdad es que fue duro todo lo que pasó estando secuestrada y el rumbo que tomó su vida no sorprende porque de alguna manera ella debía superar todo el dañó físico y psicológico que le hicieron durante años y ella encontró "paz" al buscar venganza eliminando a los hombres que abusan de las mujeres y la dañaron. Adriel era el hombre que ella necesitaba en su vida, el supo comprenderla de una manera que nadie mas lo hacía, nunca se sintió juzgada estando con el y sobre todo encontro a un hombre que la cuidara y entendiera sus sentimientos sin hacerla sentir mal. Ella se creía rota pero con Adriel demostro lo contrario, ella lo cuido y amo como nunca nadie lo hizo y logro sacar un lado amable y bonito que el creía no existía en su Interior, definitivamente eran el uno para el otro.
Adriel es tan peligroso y sexy jajajaja, ame su personaje porque si bien es alguien oscuro que hace cosas moralmente inaceptables la autora logro que tenga el contraste perfecto y no llegaba a ser abrumador ni feo, era todo lo contrario, en el fondo el siempre quiso sentirse amado y cuidado como nunca lo habían echo y la manera en la que protegió a Kayla demostraba que el no estaba roto como decía ya que con su manera de ser demostro que tenía un corazón enorme y que el no notara que era el hombre mas atento y cariñoso del mundo lo hacía aún mas tierno y fácil de amar, ya que con sus palabras, atención y acciones demostraba lo que sentía y es la manera mas bonita demuestrar la importancia que se tiene hacía una persona que quieres en tu vida ¡El cada vez que abría la boca enamoraba! 😭♥️.
El drama que hubo fue buenísimo ya que se cerraron todas las dudas que había en torno a los gemelos y el porque habían sido separados de pequeños, amo a Sofia. Los giros fueron tan inesperados que WTF yo sospechaba de otros AMO CUANDO ME TOMAN DESPREVENIDA y el final es todo lo que esta bien 🫂🤍
Help me, me la pase todo el libro queriendo meter a Kayla y Adriel en una cajita de cristal para que no les hagan daño 😭♥️. Esta de más decir que ame el libro de principio a fin 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kayla se llevo mi corazón, la verdad es que fue duro todo lo que pasó estando secuestrada y el rumbo que tomó su vida no sorprende porque de alguna manera ella debía superar todo el dañó físico y psicológico que le hicieron durante años y ella encontró "paz" al buscar venganza eliminando a los hombres que abusan de las mujeres y la dañaron. Adriel era el hombre que ella necesitaba en su vida, el supo comprenderla de una manera que nadie mas lo hacía, nunca se sintió juzgada estando con el y sobre todo encontro a un hombre que la cuidara y entendiera sus sentimientos sin hacerla sentir mal. Ella se creía rota pero con Adriel demostro lo contrario, ella lo cuido y amo como nunca nadie lo hizo y logro sacar un lado amable y bonito que el creía no existía en su Interior, definitivamente eran el uno para el otro.
Adriel es tan peligroso y sexy jajajaja, ame su personaje porque si bien es alguien oscuro que hace cosas moralmente inaceptables la autora logro que tenga el contraste perfecto y no llegaba a ser abrumador ni feo, era todo lo contrario, en el fondo el siempre quiso sentirse amado y cuidado como nunca lo habían echo y la manera en la que protegió a Kayla demostraba que el no estaba roto como decía ya que con su manera de ser demostro que tenía un corazón enorme y que el no notara que era el hombre mas atento y cariñoso del mundo lo hacía aún mas tierno y fácil de amar, ya que con sus palabras, atención y acciones demostraba lo que sentía y es la manera mas bonita demuestrar la importancia que se tiene hacía una persona que quieres en tu vida ¡El cada vez que abría la boca enamoraba! 😭♥️.
El drama que hubo fue buenísimo ya que se cerraron todas las dudas que había en torno a los gemelos y el porque habían sido separados de pequeños, amo a Sofia. Los giros fueron tan inesperados que WTF yo sospechaba de otros AMO CUANDO ME TOMAN DESPREVENIDA y el final es todo lo que esta bien 🫂🤍
January 9, 2024
✨ARC Review ✨
Savage Wounds by Lilian Harris (425 pages)
Book 4 of the Messina Crime Family
Release date is January 8th
✨Overall Thoughts and Ratings✨
⭐⭐⭐⭐:
I usually read series in order interconnected or not but I received this ARC so I was like why not. So my review will reflect me not knowing these characters that much because as it's book 4. There's an obvious character and plot set up that I missed. But I was able to understand the plot regardless.
So let's start with the pace. I liked it. It did not drag much.
Onto the plot itself, great plot. I'll definitely go back and read book 1 so I have a fuller understanding of the world building.
Now the characters, that was the only part I had issues with. I did not feel their chemistry/tension. They're hot, because they unalive together and "a couple that unalives together, stays together". I don't make the rules 🤷🏾♀️ Aside from that, I just did not feel the characters the way I usually do. We get a beautiful love story yes, but something was missing for me.
As for the tropes, this is a dark romance. There are talks of the mafia but we don't get hardcore mafia dealings. It's also a stalker romance🖤
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️:
It gets kinky. It's very smutty/spicy (I really have to do a post where I tell y'all what I consider spicy/smutty/steamy). Loved it!
Overall, maybe with a more concrete background of all the characters I'd feel more connected and then it might have been all 5 stars for me. But even without all of that, it's a great read! I wanna read Shattered Secrets soon!
Thank you to the author for this ARC opportunity ❤️
‼️TWs and CWs include:
Suicidal thoughts, self harm, sexual abuse & rape, violence against children, graphic violence, consensual non consent (CNC). Please be aware of your triggers ❤️
Savage Wounds by Lilian Harris (425 pages)
Book 4 of the Messina Crime Family
Release date is January 8th
✨Overall Thoughts and Ratings✨
⭐⭐⭐⭐:
I usually read series in order interconnected or not but I received this ARC so I was like why not. So my review will reflect me not knowing these characters that much because as it's book 4. There's an obvious character and plot set up that I missed. But I was able to understand the plot regardless.
So let's start with the pace. I liked it. It did not drag much.
Onto the plot itself, great plot. I'll definitely go back and read book 1 so I have a fuller understanding of the world building.
Now the characters, that was the only part I had issues with. I did not feel their chemistry/tension. They're hot, because they unalive together and "a couple that unalives together, stays together". I don't make the rules 🤷🏾♀️ Aside from that, I just did not feel the characters the way I usually do. We get a beautiful love story yes, but something was missing for me.
As for the tropes, this is a dark romance. There are talks of the mafia but we don't get hardcore mafia dealings. It's also a stalker romance🖤
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️:
It gets kinky. It's very smutty/spicy (I really have to do a post where I tell y'all what I consider spicy/smutty/steamy). Loved it!
Overall, maybe with a more concrete background of all the characters I'd feel more connected and then it might have been all 5 stars for me. But even without all of that, it's a great read! I wanna read Shattered Secrets soon!
Thank you to the author for this ARC opportunity ❤️
‼️TWs and CWs include:
Suicidal thoughts, self harm, sexual abuse & rape, violence against children, graphic violence, consensual non consent (CNC). Please be aware of your triggers ❤️
July 8, 2025
3.5⭐️ Sin duda es el más oscuro de todos y un buen cierre para esta serie.
La introducción de Adriel fue una sorpresa y, por supuesto, está tan dañado como cabe esperar. Me ha gustado, pero no he conectado con él y eso hace que no termine siendo un gran libro para mi.
Kayla es la única de las amigas que no consigue superar lo que les pasó y en este libro volveremos algunas veces a su pasado. Su forma de superarlo no es socialmente aceptable, por lo que encontrará en Adriel alguien que le entiende y acepte.
Su historia será complicada, oscura, apasionada y sangrienta. Juntos irán avanzando y encontrando algo que creían imposible.
Hay una mezcla de tramas que no tienen que ver con la línea de la serie y otras que sí, me parece que toda una parte del libro está ahí para poder hacer un libro, pero que son los pequeños detalles de la serie original los que realmente me han gustado más. Sobran páginas.
La introducción de Adriel fue una sorpresa y, por supuesto, está tan dañado como cabe esperar. Me ha gustado, pero no he conectado con él y eso hace que no termine siendo un gran libro para mi.
Kayla es la única de las amigas que no consigue superar lo que les pasó y en este libro volveremos algunas veces a su pasado. Su forma de superarlo no es socialmente aceptable, por lo que encontrará en Adriel alguien que le entiende y acepte.
Su historia será complicada, oscura, apasionada y sangrienta. Juntos irán avanzando y encontrando algo que creían imposible.
Hay una mezcla de tramas que no tienen que ver con la línea de la serie y otras que sí, me parece que toda una parte del libro está ahí para poder hacer un libro, pero que son los pequeños detalles de la serie original los que realmente me han gustado más. Sobran páginas.
January 10, 2024
This dark and stalker romance is action packed! There were multiple twists that I did not see coming! There’s also a ton of heart, growth and healing. If you’re a fan of dark romance, definitely pick this up!
• Masked Stalker Romance
• Touch her and ☠️
• Plot twists!
• Trauma Bonding
• Survivor of ST
• Female Unaliver
• Masked Stalker Romance
• Touch her and ☠️
• Plot twists!
• Trauma Bonding
• Survivor of ST
• Female Unaliver
January 7, 2024
This book is such a powerful story of two people who have been through immense trauma learning how to survive after the trauma is past. Adriel and Kayla are both such lost souls and I love how their hearts instantly connect with each other. I was not expecting the emotional roller coaster or all the twist and turns this story has. I loved seeing each of the characters heal not individually and together. I also loved getting to see some of the characters I fell in love with earlier in this series make an appearance in this book.
February 12, 2025
Did this book make any sense? No not really. Did I enjoy it? Yeah. Also I just wanted the people (not just the Main characters but the entire family) to be together. People deserve love and happiness (maybe I’m just lonely)
Books like these make me feel like maybe despite of how broken I am, I might be loved?
Books like these make me feel like maybe despite of how broken I am, I might be loved?
May 20, 2024
"My baby bird...You're my curse and my sanctuary."
"You are the light, Kayla Jenkins. All I see is darkness without you."
Lilian really finished this series off with some of her best writing. If you are familiar with this series then you knew Adriel and Kayla's story was going to be a tad bit different. If you are new to the series I highly, highly reading Twisted Promises before Savage Wounds.
I was so blown away with Adriel and Kayla. After getting a glimpse of him in Twisted Promises we learned he is slightly disturbed and I was ready for his story. Then there is Kayla who has survived through years of pure hell and just wants to get some semblance of a life back. Lurking inside her though is an urge, this need to unalive people like the ones who took years of her life against her will. Adriel has a habit of doing the same as Kayla and before we know it they have now bonded (I guess that is the way to phrase it) over their mutual interest in ridding the world of bad people.
I was so curious as to how Ms. Harris was going to weave in a love story with two vigilantes but she nailed it. Seeing Adriel almost become a completely different person throughout this story is part of what makes it so beautiful. He is a broken man to say the least and yet once the light that is Kayla Jenkins enters his life he starts to see things differently. I love that Kayla loves him for his true self, he has to hide nothing from her. She is his and he protects her with all he has. He truly is a good man that just needed the right person to enter his life and help him find that goodness buried very deep within.
This book had me on pins and needles for the last half of it. The couple plot twists that Ms. Harris throws out there had me completely shocked....I absolutely did not see them coming and those are what kept me flipping my electronic pages because I had to know how the story/series ended. While I am sad that it has ended I am very much looking forward to the Quinn family in the next series!!!!
********AUDIO REVIEW********
Ms. Harris has done it again with her exceptional choice in narrators. J.F. Harding is a personal favorite and I could never imagine anyone else as Adriel. He is chef's kiss perfection. C.J. Bloom is always a pleasure to listen to. She knows how to portray characters like Kayla and make it seem so easy. These are not two narrators I would have ever imagined together but they work and the work well! I feel like this audio was over way too soon, I did not want it to end.
"You are the light, Kayla Jenkins. All I see is darkness without you."
Lilian really finished this series off with some of her best writing. If you are familiar with this series then you knew Adriel and Kayla's story was going to be a tad bit different. If you are new to the series I highly, highly reading Twisted Promises before Savage Wounds.
I was so blown away with Adriel and Kayla. After getting a glimpse of him in Twisted Promises we learned he is slightly disturbed and I was ready for his story. Then there is Kayla who has survived through years of pure hell and just wants to get some semblance of a life back. Lurking inside her though is an urge, this need to unalive people like the ones who took years of her life against her will. Adriel has a habit of doing the same as Kayla and before we know it they have now bonded (I guess that is the way to phrase it) over their mutual interest in ridding the world of bad people.
I was so curious as to how Ms. Harris was going to weave in a love story with two vigilantes but she nailed it. Seeing Adriel almost become a completely different person throughout this story is part of what makes it so beautiful. He is a broken man to say the least and yet once the light that is Kayla Jenkins enters his life he starts to see things differently. I love that Kayla loves him for his true self, he has to hide nothing from her. She is his and he protects her with all he has. He truly is a good man that just needed the right person to enter his life and help him find that goodness buried very deep within.
This book had me on pins and needles for the last half of it. The couple plot twists that Ms. Harris throws out there had me completely shocked....I absolutely did not see them coming and those are what kept me flipping my electronic pages because I had to know how the story/series ended. While I am sad that it has ended I am very much looking forward to the Quinn family in the next series!!!!
********AUDIO REVIEW********
Ms. Harris has done it again with her exceptional choice in narrators. J.F. Harding is a personal favorite and I could never imagine anyone else as Adriel. He is chef's kiss perfection. C.J. Bloom is always a pleasure to listen to. She knows how to portray characters like Kayla and make it seem so easy. These are not two narrators I would have ever imagined together but they work and the work well! I feel like this audio was over way too soon, I did not want it to end.
May 9, 2024
*Edited for Audiobook!
The audiobook was absolutely perfect! Both narrators absolutely killed it (pun intended)! This is a book that will bring these characters to life and keep you on the edge of your seat.
What an amazing ending to a series.
Kayla and Adriel both have such traumatic back stories. But finding each other and working things out together makes such an awesome ending. I love absolutely everything Lilian puts out!
The audiobook was absolutely perfect! Both narrators absolutely killed it (pun intended)! This is a book that will bring these characters to life and keep you on the edge of your seat.
What an amazing ending to a series.
Kayla and Adriel both have such traumatic back stories. But finding each other and working things out together makes such an awesome ending. I love absolutely everything Lilian puts out!
May 19, 2024
Nope
This book was annoying and....weird.
Spoilers!
We are supposed to believe that A and C were the same person? Puhleese.
And what's with everyone strutting around? The author's overuse of that word was distracting.
Overall this book was unbelievable and dumb.
This book was annoying and....weird.
Spoilers!
We are supposed to believe that A and C were the same person? Puhleese.
And what's with everyone strutting around? The author's overuse of that word was distracting.
Overall this book was unbelievable and dumb.
December 30, 2023
Once again, I went into another of this author’s stories with eagerness and guess what? She delivered on every angle. OMG, this book is so good, it is raw and gritty… take note that there are some very dark things… the storyline is twisty and literally has you on the edge of your seat. I was hooked in straight away and couldn’t put it down.
From the get go I was so pleased to know about Kayla and how she fared. Kayla is so different to how I thought she’d be, she is nothing if not honest and I admire her for her ability to not sugarcoat things. Her gradual character profile build up was excellent, and to be honest, I think she even surprised herself with the new her as she is now.
Adriel is such an interesting character, I also immediately wanted to know all about him too. So twisted—his background and his current life—but so good! I defy anyone to say they don’t like him. Bit by bit we get to know Adriel more and more as his character profile is developed. My heart went out to him even though I wasn’t happy with his plans for his biological family. He discovers things about himself as the story progresses that amazes him, too.
This fast-paced story will have you smirking at the sarcastic comments and laughing at the terrific humour that balances things by adding some light into the story. Again, you will find it difficult not to become incensed at times and fearful at others. The way this author makes you feel one with the characters is amazing.
This exceptional story takes you on a path that is littered with murders, mystery and mayhem. It is beyond fantastic, the suspense element is superb with more than one mystery being woven into the story. Actually, there are a few different elements that run parallel with each other in the story and I am gobsmacked by the talent of this author. The unpredictability of this book is the cherry on the cake and I always like surprises in a story.
From the get go I was so pleased to know about Kayla and how she fared. Kayla is so different to how I thought she’d be, she is nothing if not honest and I admire her for her ability to not sugarcoat things. Her gradual character profile build up was excellent, and to be honest, I think she even surprised herself with the new her as she is now.
Adriel is such an interesting character, I also immediately wanted to know all about him too. So twisted—his background and his current life—but so good! I defy anyone to say they don’t like him. Bit by bit we get to know Adriel more and more as his character profile is developed. My heart went out to him even though I wasn’t happy with his plans for his biological family. He discovers things about himself as the story progresses that amazes him, too.
This fast-paced story will have you smirking at the sarcastic comments and laughing at the terrific humour that balances things by adding some light into the story. Again, you will find it difficult not to become incensed at times and fearful at others. The way this author makes you feel one with the characters is amazing.
This exceptional story takes you on a path that is littered with murders, mystery and mayhem. It is beyond fantastic, the suspense element is superb with more than one mystery being woven into the story. Actually, there are a few different elements that run parallel with each other in the story and I am gobsmacked by the talent of this author. The unpredictability of this book is the cherry on the cake and I always like surprises in a story.
May 23, 2024
4/5⭐️ 2.5/5🌶️ 5/5🎧
Lilian Harris knows how to twist a plot. After the cliffy in the last book, I was anxiously awaiting this one and it didn’t disappoint. This one gave off those overly obsessed stalker vibes, and I didn’t know how much I missed that trope until listening to this one. Also, a murderous vigilante FMC? Yes, please! And the freaking bomb that was dropped about 70% through the book 🤯 I was like how? Lilian always has something up her sleeve when writing these addictive as hell books. Such a great read.
The dual narration by CJ Bloom and JF Harding was phenomenal. They did such a great job as always.
Lilian Harris knows how to twist a plot. After the cliffy in the last book, I was anxiously awaiting this one and it didn’t disappoint. This one gave off those overly obsessed stalker vibes, and I didn’t know how much I missed that trope until listening to this one. Also, a murderous vigilante FMC? Yes, please! And the freaking bomb that was dropped about 70% through the book 🤯 I was like how? Lilian always has something up her sleeve when writing these addictive as hell books. Such a great read.
The dual narration by CJ Bloom and JF Harding was phenomenal. They did such a great job as always.
January 11, 2024
Well what can I say…. This book was sooo good!
If you love a dark stalker romance mixed with some Mafia then this is the book for you.
Kayla and Adriel were just *chefs kiss
I don’t wanna say more because you’ll enjoy it more without knowing too much.
But there are plenty of secrets and twist along the way.
If you love a dark stalker romance mixed with some Mafia then this is the book for you.
Kayla and Adriel were just *chefs kiss
I don’t wanna say more because you’ll enjoy it more without knowing too much.
But there are plenty of secrets and twist along the way.
January 6, 2024
Last book of the series and I think I can safely these two - Adriel and Kayla are a match made in vengeance heaven.
Adriel was the surprise in the last book’s cliffhanger and he makes an impact on the reader with this book. Is his hate justified?? In some ways yes but for most part no - well really toward his family .
These two have very traumatic pasts and what has shaped them in the present. You understand why they do what they do because it makes sense in a weird way.
Be prepared for some heavy scenes - steamy and triggering.
* I received this book as an ARC for an honest review.
Adriel was the surprise in the last book’s cliffhanger and he makes an impact on the reader with this book. Is his hate justified?? In some ways yes but for most part no - well really toward his family .
These two have very traumatic pasts and what has shaped them in the present. You understand why they do what they do because it makes sense in a weird way.
Be prepared for some heavy scenes - steamy and triggering.
* I received this book as an ARC for an honest review.
December 29, 2023
ARC Review
Adriel is a hunter ,who
destroying the evil that rooms the streets.
That’s always been his focus.
Then he saw her.
His newest obsession.
His deadliest sin.
One look into her eyes, and he knows that they were the same.
Hungry for blood.
For revenge.
Hiding behind our secrets.
Kayla has her own demons with scars that run deep.
She doesn’t know that he been watching her, waiting for his chance to possess her, body and soul. Until all she knows is him!
Definitely book that makes you, to not forget, but still can't fully like the characters in this series, or to find couple that will get my attention from the start.
Adriel is a hunter ,who
destroying the evil that rooms the streets.
That’s always been his focus.
Then he saw her.
His newest obsession.
His deadliest sin.
One look into her eyes, and he knows that they were the same.
Hungry for blood.
For revenge.
Hiding behind our secrets.
Kayla has her own demons with scars that run deep.
She doesn’t know that he been watching her, waiting for his chance to possess her, body and soul. Until all she knows is him!
Definitely book that makes you, to not forget, but still can't fully like the characters in this series, or to find couple that will get my attention from the start.
January 9, 2024
It’s dark
It’s emotional
It’s traumatic
But it was everything!
I refuse to go into detail about this book because it’s so much better the less details you have, but let me just say this…
Kayla is a survivor of trafficking who struggles with finding her new normal. The things she endured never truly leave, and she has scars she doesn’t know how to heal.
Adriel grew up in an orphanage, beaten, alone, and unloved. Revenge is all he has on his mind and he’ll stop at nothing to get it. But plans seem to get more challenging from the moment he meets Kayla.
Their inner demons match up perfectly and watching them play is EVERYTHING.
“You’re my little sinner, taking me to hell with you.”
-“We’ve already been to hell. Maybe this is our reward.”
Tropes:
-Masked Stalker
-Touch Her and Die
-Twisty and Emotional
-Trauma Bonding
-He’s Only Soft with Her
It’s emotional
It’s traumatic
But it was everything!
I refuse to go into detail about this book because it’s so much better the less details you have, but let me just say this…
Kayla is a survivor of trafficking who struggles with finding her new normal. The things she endured never truly leave, and she has scars she doesn’t know how to heal.
Adriel grew up in an orphanage, beaten, alone, and unloved. Revenge is all he has on his mind and he’ll stop at nothing to get it. But plans seem to get more challenging from the moment he meets Kayla.
Their inner demons match up perfectly and watching them play is EVERYTHING.
“You’re my little sinner, taking me to hell with you.”
-“We’ve already been to hell. Maybe this is our reward.”
Tropes:
-Masked Stalker
-Touch Her and Die
-Twisty and Emotional
-Trauma Bonding
-He’s Only Soft with Her
May 13, 2024
May 13, 2024 - ALC review
JF Harding and CJ Bloom did an amazing job bringing Adriel and Kayla to life... and Chris too. Listening to their story made me realize once more how horrible their life had been and now they werre taking their power back. Adriel and Kayla have been wronged one too many times by people who knew they were and by others who didn’t know. They find the love they deserve within each other, together, and with the family who they found for different reasons.
Jan. 9, 2024 - ARC review
This book is about two people who have been wronged in life, finding each other, and connecting in a way that would help them heal. He was raised by nuns who abused him. She was a victim of human trafficking. Both in a vendetta to hunt the people who've hurt them. He is her masked stalker who supports her every kill. He made his way in life thinking about the revenge he'd bring upon his biological family for being.
Adriel and Kayla's story was more murder-y and gory than the previous books in the series but it was a great ending. They both learned to trust each other, despite her not knowing who he was. He always showed her comfort and helped her clean up her kills. It was a good fitting. They needed each other in ways they never could have imagined.
🝮︎︎︎︎︎︎︎𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒔+𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒔🝮︎︎︎︎︎︎︎
• anti-hero
• assassin romance
• dark romance
• forbidden romance
• forced proximity
• he falls first-vibes
• underlying mafia affiliations
• masked man stalker
• morally grey couple
• mutual pining
• secret romance
• serial unaliver
• sexual tension
• mental health & triggers
January 9, 2024
“Don’t cry, little wolf. We don’t let them win. We destroy them.”
*4.5 stars.*
I just love Kayla and Adriel so much!
“Fuck! You’re my little sinner, taking me to hell with you.”
“We’ve already been to hell. Maybe this is our reward.”
Tropes:
Dark mafia romance, masked stalker, touch her and die, vigilante serial killer, trauma bonding, J/P obsessive MMC, he’s only soft with her, twisty & emotional.
*CHECK TRIGGERS!*
ARC review:
This story instantly pulled me in - and especially having read Twisted promises where the last page of that book had me very curious for this one. It was super emotional and intense, and it was also gritty and dark!
In it’s core it is mostly a story about how two deeply bruised, beaten and broken people finds a light in the darkness with each other. Throw in a resurgence of the trafficking ring and a serial rapist/killer on the loose and there’s a lot of complications towards a HEA.
I was a bit confused in the beginning, but I quickly guessed some of the twists and secrets, but it took nothing from the story and the last half or so, I couldn’t put the book down.
A connection forged through anguish. Through pain. That’s us and we’re all kinds of beautiful.
Kayla is amazing and watching her take back the power and finding power in submission under the right circumstances is inspirational. She is strong in her determination to live and finds a new way to cope - maybe not exactly traditional, but it works for her.
Adriel is deeply hurt and don’t think he can love, but it becomes clear quite early that when he found his person, he is such a caring, protecting and loving man - even as a masked stalker and a vigilante serial killer…
“You are the light, Kayla Jenkins. All I see is darkness without you.”
Together their chemistry and attraction had sparks flying, and the emotional and personal connection developed organically and so well, there is no doubt they were always meant to find each other. There was also room for snark, funny banter and so much character growth, as well as some excellent and well-placed spice!
“You feel too good, baby bird. Like a needy, filthy thing made just for my depravity.”
I love Lilian’s writing and the way she tells this story; she does not shy away from the gritty and awful sides, but it’s also not getting too much attention.
The bond Kayla and Adriel have is very profound and beautiful - some might say unconventional, but it clearly works for them, and the way they recognize something in each other and helps each other somewhat heal from their traumas was amazing.
“You’re worried about me?”
“Of course I’m worried about you. I may want to stab you right now, but I don’t want anyone else to.”
All the elements, all the action, all the character developments and the previous books characters - it all comes together beautifully in this story. Although, there were times that seemed almost impossible, but I'm so happy with how it all ended. I really enjoyed seeing a bit of the previous books characters, and as always, Sophia steals the show!
I can’t wait to see what Lilian has in store next - I will definitely be reading it.
*4.5 stars.*
I just love Kayla and Adriel so much!
“Fuck! You’re my little sinner, taking me to hell with you.”
“We’ve already been to hell. Maybe this is our reward.”
Tropes:
Dark mafia romance, masked stalker, touch her and die, vigilante serial killer, trauma bonding, J/P obsessive MMC, he’s only soft with her, twisty & emotional.
*CHECK TRIGGERS!*
ARC review:
This story instantly pulled me in - and especially having read Twisted promises where the last page of that book had me very curious for this one. It was super emotional and intense, and it was also gritty and dark!
In it’s core it is mostly a story about how two deeply bruised, beaten and broken people finds a light in the darkness with each other. Throw in a resurgence of the trafficking ring and a serial rapist/killer on the loose and there’s a lot of complications towards a HEA.
I was a bit confused in the beginning, but I quickly guessed some of the twists and secrets, but it took nothing from the story and the last half or so, I couldn’t put the book down.
A connection forged through anguish. Through pain. That’s us and we’re all kinds of beautiful.
Kayla is amazing and watching her take back the power and finding power in submission under the right circumstances is inspirational. She is strong in her determination to live and finds a new way to cope - maybe not exactly traditional, but it works for her.
Adriel is deeply hurt and don’t think he can love, but it becomes clear quite early that when he found his person, he is such a caring, protecting and loving man - even as a masked stalker and a vigilante serial killer…
“You are the light, Kayla Jenkins. All I see is darkness without you.”
Together their chemistry and attraction had sparks flying, and the emotional and personal connection developed organically and so well, there is no doubt they were always meant to find each other. There was also room for snark, funny banter and so much character growth, as well as some excellent and well-placed spice!
“You feel too good, baby bird. Like a needy, filthy thing made just for my depravity.”
I love Lilian’s writing and the way she tells this story; she does not shy away from the gritty and awful sides, but it’s also not getting too much attention.
The bond Kayla and Adriel have is very profound and beautiful - some might say unconventional, but it clearly works for them, and the way they recognize something in each other and helps each other somewhat heal from their traumas was amazing.
“You’re worried about me?”
“Of course I’m worried about you. I may want to stab you right now, but I don’t want anyone else to.”
All the elements, all the action, all the character developments and the previous books characters - it all comes together beautifully in this story. Although, there were times that seemed almost impossible, but I'm so happy with how it all ended. I really enjoyed seeing a bit of the previous books characters, and as always, Sophia steals the show!
I can’t wait to see what Lilian has in store next - I will definitely be reading it.
December 28, 2023
Oh boy, where do I even begin with Savage Wounds by Lilian Harris? This book had me hooked from the very start, and I couldn't put it down! Lilian sure knows how to make my heart race, and there were so many moments where I found myself sitting with my mouth wide open, thinking, "What the heck?" This story truly tugs at the heartstrings and keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end. Savage Wounds is the fourth book in the Messina Crime Family series. I won't reveal too much to avoid spoilers, but trust me, this series is a must-read! I think Savage Wounds can be enjoyed as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading the entire series in order for the full experience.
Now, let's talk about Adriel and Kayla's story. It's not your typical romance—it's interesting, entertaining, and deliciously enticing. These characters are broken, a tortured, and perfectly imperfect. I just want to give them both a big hug! Lilian weaves a special twist that binds them together, and despite their traumatic pasts, these damaged souls find unconditional love in each other, flaws and scars included.
This was my first dive into the world of stalker romance, and I must say, I'm not entirely sure what to think of it. However, I enjoyed it a lot and will definitely be picking up Lilian's next books! I loved how Adriel is soft only for Kayla, and who can resist a possessive hero in a mafia romance? Admittedly, I felt he could have done a bit more grovelling, and Kayla forgave him a bit too easily when she discovered his true identity. Despite that, I absolutely loved the story.
A big thank you to Lilian for sending me an ARC! 💖
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 4.5/5⭐
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
🥀Masked Stalker Romance
🥀Vigilante Serial K!ller
🥀Twisty & Emotional
🥀Jealous & Possessive
🥀Touch Her and D!e
🥀He's only soft with her
🥀Girl Next Door
🥀Trauma Bonding
Highly recommend checking for trigger warnings.
Now, let's talk about Adriel and Kayla's story. It's not your typical romance—it's interesting, entertaining, and deliciously enticing. These characters are broken, a tortured, and perfectly imperfect. I just want to give them both a big hug! Lilian weaves a special twist that binds them together, and despite their traumatic pasts, these damaged souls find unconditional love in each other, flaws and scars included.
This was my first dive into the world of stalker romance, and I must say, I'm not entirely sure what to think of it. However, I enjoyed it a lot and will definitely be picking up Lilian's next books! I loved how Adriel is soft only for Kayla, and who can resist a possessive hero in a mafia romance? Admittedly, I felt he could have done a bit more grovelling, and Kayla forgave him a bit too easily when she discovered his true identity. Despite that, I absolutely loved the story.
A big thank you to Lilian for sending me an ARC! 💖
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 4.5/5⭐
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
🥀Masked Stalker Romance
🥀Vigilante Serial K!ller
🥀Twisty & Emotional
🥀Jealous & Possessive
🥀Touch Her and D!e
🥀He's only soft with her
🥀Girl Next Door
🥀Trauma Bonding
Highly recommend checking for trigger warnings.
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