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Forbidden Devotion
If life is a party, then I must be the piñata.I worked my ass off to get here, but my job has hit a dead end ever since the senior partners of the law firm decided I’m too young to take on any cases.
Which is why, when Richard Marino shows up at my pity party, he immediately becomes my guest of honor. A very dangerously handsome one.
He pitches his father’s case to the firm’s senior associates. The compensation would make it more than worth their while, but they refuse to take it nonetheless.
Marino means Cosa Nostra, and they don’t want to get involved with the Mafia.
Cowards.
Honestly, I’m scared too. But rent and my student loan aren’t going to pay themselves, and this might just be my chance to prove myself in and out of court.
So, I convince Marino to hire me.
I never expected him to ask me out on the spot. It’s hard to say no, but I need to keep things professional between us.
It doesn’t make it easier that Richard is the perfect embodiment of all I want in a man. Talk about conflict of interest…
My career depends on this case, and Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome might just be the key to my success.
I cannot afford to fuck this up. But no pressure, right?
Click ‘BUY NOW’ to read Lauren and Richard’s forbidden love story today!
This book is the standalone sequel of Scarred Devotion, grumpy x sunshine romance. It
He falls firstTouch her and dieFast burnStrangers to loversVery, very steamy scenesNo cheatingHEA
Which is why, when Richard Marino shows up at my pity party, he immediately becomes my guest of honor. A very dangerously handsome one.
He pitches his father’s case to the firm’s senior associates. The compensation would make it more than worth their while, but they refuse to take it nonetheless.
Marino means Cosa Nostra, and they don’t want to get involved with the Mafia.
Cowards.
Honestly, I’m scared too. But rent and my student loan aren’t going to pay themselves, and this might just be my chance to prove myself in and out of court.
So, I convince Marino to hire me.
I never expected him to ask me out on the spot. It’s hard to say no, but I need to keep things professional between us.
It doesn’t make it easier that Richard is the perfect embodiment of all I want in a man. Talk about conflict of interest…
My career depends on this case, and Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome might just be the key to my success.
I cannot afford to fuck this up. But no pressure, right?
Click ‘BUY NOW’ to read Lauren and Richard’s forbidden love story today!
This book is the standalone sequel of Scarred Devotion, grumpy x sunshine romance. It
He falls firstTouch her and dieFast burnStrangers to loversVery, very steamy scenesNo cheatingHEA
- GenresRomantic Suspense
399 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 9, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 2, 2025
I never would have thought I'd call a mafia romance sweet, but alas, here we are.
Richard, the underboss to his dad in the Mafia, needed to find a lawyer since their previous one passed away. His dad was being charged for smuggling drugs into the country, but no lawyer was willing to take them on... except for Lauren. She was a junior partner with a law firm but they were giving her jobs that interns or secretaries could do, and she needed a break. This was her chance. She chased Rich down after her senior partners turned him down, and she was hired.
There was a connection between them from the start, but they knew they needed to keep it somewhat professional. Once the trial ended, however, all bets were off.
The story is rather short and not a whole lot goes on, but it's the perfect pace to not get bored. There's just enough spice that it isn't too much (though some of the terms used are strange - I shared a few to my book group which made them laugh and question the quality of the book I was reading, but I assured them it wasn't bad! An example is the FMC's "gummy walls" ... I'm sure you can figure that out.), but enough to keep readers happy.
Most importantly, I love the personality of Richard. Yes, he's the future head of the Mafia (and the current underboss), but he can also be a bit goofy, funny, and he shows his emotions rather than keeps them bottled up. He's sweet! I've never read about a boss like him before and I actually loved it. He isn't exactly perfect, he has things he needs to work on (like his temper and not saying hurtful things in the heat of the moment), but he's a really great guy.
If you want a standalone book to read that's mafia but not really dark, give this one a go! I enjoyed it.
Richard, the underboss to his dad in the Mafia, needed to find a lawyer since their previous one passed away. His dad was being charged for smuggling drugs into the country, but no lawyer was willing to take them on... except for Lauren. She was a junior partner with a law firm but they were giving her jobs that interns or secretaries could do, and she needed a break. This was her chance. She chased Rich down after her senior partners turned him down, and she was hired.
There was a connection between them from the start, but they knew they needed to keep it somewhat professional. Once the trial ended, however, all bets were off.
The story is rather short and not a whole lot goes on, but it's the perfect pace to not get bored. There's just enough spice that it isn't too much (though some of the terms used are strange - I shared a few to my book group which made them laugh and question the quality of the book I was reading, but I assured them it wasn't bad! An example is the FMC's "gummy walls" ... I'm sure you can figure that out.), but enough to keep readers happy.
Most importantly, I love the personality of Richard. Yes, he's the future head of the Mafia (and the current underboss), but he can also be a bit goofy, funny, and he shows his emotions rather than keeps them bottled up. He's sweet! I've never read about a boss like him before and I actually loved it. He isn't exactly perfect, he has things he needs to work on (like his temper and not saying hurtful things in the heat of the moment), but he's a really great guy.
If you want a standalone book to read that's mafia but not really dark, give this one a go! I enjoyed it.
March 17, 2024
This book follows an adult Richard trying to navigate his life when his father is arrested and he is put in charge. Enter the fiesty lawyer, Lauren, who wants the job of getting him out so she can prove to her bosses she is no pushover.
Lauren is a lawyer who is determinded to show her bosses she is just as good as her male counterparts. She has dreams of her own firm but is being ignored in favour of male counterparts. She is a go getter dispite her background and has a quick and smart mind.
Richard is hooked on her the moment he lays eyes in her. He is attracted to her no nonsense approach and doesnt hesitate to hire her. When his brother is arrested and charged with murder we see another side of Richard which struggles with his emotions and being the underboss.
Lauren and Richard are great characters full of emotion and a sass for life given their history, put them together and the story comes alive. These two are explosive together and the spice is amazing.
This is a mafia story so we have the short torture scene and it touches on CNC but is well worth a read. This can be read as a standalone but if you abit of background then its worth reading Scarred Devotion.
Lauren is a lawyer who is determinded to show her bosses she is just as good as her male counterparts. She has dreams of her own firm but is being ignored in favour of male counterparts. She is a go getter dispite her background and has a quick and smart mind.
Richard is hooked on her the moment he lays eyes in her. He is attracted to her no nonsense approach and doesnt hesitate to hire her. When his brother is arrested and charged with murder we see another side of Richard which struggles with his emotions and being the underboss.
Lauren and Richard are great characters full of emotion and a sass for life given their history, put them together and the story comes alive. These two are explosive together and the spice is amazing.
This is a mafia story so we have the short torture scene and it touches on CNC but is well worth a read. This can be read as a standalone but if you abit of background then its worth reading Scarred Devotion.
March 14, 2024
I absolutely loved this book and getting to know Rich and Lauren. Lauren is a such a strong female character who has no had a great upbringing. She has fought so hard for what she wants out of life. Even being stuck in a closet sized office ( if that’s what you call it ) she is amazing at what she does. When she hears the partners speaking with a potential client who they end up sending away, she literally chases him to the parking lot and agrees to take his case. Richard and Lauren hit it off right from the start but there cannot be any conflict of interest so things but remain professional. Once the case is over….all bets are off! There’s nothing stopping them! I loved these two characters together. Rich doesn’t handle emotional stress well and he loses it one night when he starts in on Lauren and ends up losing her too. Will these two be able to see past the way Rich treated Lauren and all the nasty things he said or will she move on and forget him. Great Epilogue!
April 8, 2025
Rich and Lauren
What a brilliant book with great characters and a gritty interesting storyline. Absolutely fabulous book which I totally loved and would thoroughly recommend hoping that others enjoy it as well. Richard Marino and Lauren Kylin, two people who would never have met formally but she’s a lawyer and he needs one to defend his father. The attraction is immediate between the two but they’re lawyer and client. Such a tantalising story with some delightful and frightening moments. Following the adventures of these two people including those that surround them makes this book a pleasure to read and hard to put down.
What a brilliant book with great characters and a gritty interesting storyline. Absolutely fabulous book which I totally loved and would thoroughly recommend hoping that others enjoy it as well. Richard Marino and Lauren Kylin, two people who would never have met formally but she’s a lawyer and he needs one to defend his father. The attraction is immediate between the two but they’re lawyer and client. Such a tantalising story with some delightful and frightening moments. Following the adventures of these two people including those that surround them makes this book a pleasure to read and hard to put down.
March 22, 2024
Conflict of Interest
There are so many moving parts to this story that I was invested throughout the entire story. Richard and Lauren meet when he is looking for a lawyer to defend his father and she is the only one willing to take the case. The tension between them is intense but remaining professional until the case was settled exploded into ecstasy as soon as it was over. However, it was short lived as the danger and complications pulled them apart. This story was emotionally charged and entertaining to read.
I received an ARC of this book and voluntarily leave this review.
There are so many moving parts to this story that I was invested throughout the entire story. Richard and Lauren meet when he is looking for a lawyer to defend his father and she is the only one willing to take the case. The tension between them is intense but remaining professional until the case was settled exploded into ecstasy as soon as it was over. However, it was short lived as the danger and complications pulled them apart. This story was emotionally charged and entertaining to read.
I received an ARC of this book and voluntarily leave this review.
March 11, 2024
Forbidden devotion
We get to see grown up Richard … and he is smexy… and now temporarily in charge..
Lauren., another bad a$& female … who knows how to stand up for herself.
I really really enjoy Bryce Keenes writing and can never let one sit in my TBR. I love how she includes bonus scenes throughout each book. You don’t need to read them but they always make the characters feel more real.
I can’t say enough about this book and author …
We get to see grown up Richard … and he is smexy… and now temporarily in charge..
Lauren., another bad a$& female … who knows how to stand up for herself.
I really really enjoy Bryce Keenes writing and can never let one sit in my TBR. I love how she includes bonus scenes throughout each book. You don’t need to read them but they always make the characters feel more real.
I can’t say enough about this book and author …
March 18, 2024
This author knows how to take characters and readers on emotional rollercoasters. Her FMC’s are tough, feisty and know what they want. Lauren was no exception. Her MMC’s are alphaholes who know how to grovel. While Richard was sweet and caring, his alphahole side reared its ugly head and the emotions come out.
This author is a must read for me. I love her writing style, her plots and the steam she creates with the two main love interests.
This author is a must read for me. I love her writing style, her plots and the steam she creates with the two main love interests.
March 12, 2024
Bryce Keene has done it again! This book was an emotional rollercoaster. I loved Richard from the first page. He was so sweet and caring not your typical Mafia lead. And I loved Lauren's spunk and badass attitude. They are such a great match and I loved every second of this book. This book had high emotions, steamy romance and dramatic suspense.
March 17, 2024
really like this one
I enjoyed this book. The plot was good then it was thickened and a wonderful ending! I loved seeing how the characters from book one developed in this one. No you don’t need to read book one to understand this one it was an over all great book! It’s a forbidden love/mafia vibes
I enjoyed this book. The plot was good then it was thickened and a wonderful ending! I loved seeing how the characters from book one developed in this one. No you don’t need to read book one to understand this one it was an over all great book! It’s a forbidden love/mafia vibes
March 17, 2024
I absolutely loved this book and I loved getting to know Richard and Lauren. This book sucked me in from the first page and I couldn’t put it down until like all good things it came to an end. I don’t want to spoil it but do the right thing and add it to your TBR you won’t be disappointed.
March 31, 2024
Great
Lauren and Richard.
This is the the second book in the Vicious Desires series.
I loved reading this book.
I loved the characters, plot and storyline.
I loved the twists.
I loved the chemistry.
Read it
Lauren and Richard.
This is the the second book in the Vicious Desires series.
I loved reading this book.
I loved the characters, plot and storyline.
I loved the twists.
I loved the chemistry.
Read it
October 13, 2024
Forbidden Devotion
Forbidden Devotion is the story of how Lauren and Richard met and Laurens initiation into the mafia and becoming a great lawyer. Bryce writes some great HOT scenes. Are we going to hear about Richards brother and sister, more from the Marino family
Forbidden Devotion is the story of how Lauren and Richard met and Laurens initiation into the mafia and becoming a great lawyer. Bryce writes some great HOT scenes. Are we going to hear about Richards brother and sister, more from the Marino family
April 11, 2025
Rollercoster Ride
Loved the beginning, loved the first court case, thrilled by the celebration of the win, then with the second arrest but then it’s like the mmc is replaced and I am reading about a completely different character. Who I did not like
Loved the beginning, loved the first court case, thrilled by the celebration of the win, then with the second arrest but then it’s like the mmc is replaced and I am reading about a completely different character. Who I did not like
March 17, 2024
I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, this book as well as getting to know Rich and Lauren! I could not put it down! It was captivating and the chemistry between Rich and Lauren was amazing!!!
March 30, 2024
Good book. These two have the hots for each other but she is the attorney for his father. They batter back and forth and its cute. The story is really good. Enjoyed
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews