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The Hacker's Heart
After taking the life of a high ranking member of the Irish Mafia to protect his friend and confidant, Issac Maus, Thomas O'Malley wants out — to live a safe and normal life.
Two months later, Thomas has thrown himself into his new life — school, friends, dating — the picture of a normal life, right? Then why does he keep finding himself entangled in the schemes of the Three Rings, only to be rescued by the kind (and disarmingly handsome) Hacker Snake of the Italian Mafia? Thomas knows he should keep his distance, but how can he when one of the few places he truly feels safe is in Seong’s presence? If he can't live a normal life, maybe he can settle for honest.
Seong “Snake” Kim is perfectly happy to focus on his work — even if his work is using his unique computer skills for the dark purposes of the Italian Mafia. When the young and handsome Thomas O'Malley, asks him him about honest computer careers, Seong intended on showing Thomas some resources and sending him on his way — determined not to pass on the teachings of his "mentor." But, like a boomerang, Thomas keeps coming back — no matter how hard Seong tries to throw him. More than that, every time, Seong has a harder time letting go. Can Seong find a balance? Not just for the sake of Thomas’s future but for his own sanity? Or will a darkness from his own past drive them into each other’s arms until no force will break them apart?The Three Rings is a queer mafia romance series that follows a different couple with each book but tie into each other. Reading them in order is strongly recommended.
Two months later, Thomas has thrown himself into his new life — school, friends, dating — the picture of a normal life, right? Then why does he keep finding himself entangled in the schemes of the Three Rings, only to be rescued by the kind (and disarmingly handsome) Hacker Snake of the Italian Mafia? Thomas knows he should keep his distance, but how can he when one of the few places he truly feels safe is in Seong’s presence? If he can't live a normal life, maybe he can settle for honest.
Seong “Snake” Kim is perfectly happy to focus on his work — even if his work is using his unique computer skills for the dark purposes of the Italian Mafia. When the young and handsome Thomas O'Malley, asks him him about honest computer careers, Seong intended on showing Thomas some resources and sending him on his way — determined not to pass on the teachings of his "mentor." But, like a boomerang, Thomas keeps coming back — no matter how hard Seong tries to throw him. More than that, every time, Seong has a harder time letting go. Can Seong find a balance? Not just for the sake of Thomas’s future but for his own sanity? Or will a darkness from his own past drive them into each other’s arms until no force will break them apart?The Three Rings is a queer mafia romance series that follows a different couple with each book but tie into each other. Reading them in order is strongly recommended.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 4, 2024
9 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 11, 2024
I don't usually write reviews but since I really enjoyed book one, reread it before this one so it could be fresh, I was slightly taken aback by this one and felt like warning others could be appreciated.
This review is going to have major spoilers.
*****
For some reason I thought that this would be a romance between Thomas and Seong. There's pining, trying to stay away but unable to, always drifting back to each other, reasons why it wouldn't work to be together, etc, all things I usually see in a romance. I was at around 40% of the way through the book when I started to think WTF is happening here??
We have Thomas who clearly starts to have a crush forming on someone other than Seong, enough to out on a date. Okay I can understand that since Thomas doesn't think Seong is interested and this other character clearly is. We see some making out before the book changes to Seong perspective, no biggie I expect it to not work out for Thomas and this other character, but then we get into Seong's perspective just in time to see him plan a hookup and are then given a detailed s*x scene with Seong and this other character who is not Thomas. This is the part where I went, again, to check the books description because what in the world is happening? Hooking up with other people, on page, at 45% of a story (unless the book is labeled as MM+) is not what I expected, and that's fine, clearly this book wasn't meant for me.
I started to skim to see when exactly our two MCs are actually expected to get together in their book... on the last chapter. They share a single conversation where Thomas says he hopes to tell other people he's taken and Seong starts to back away from him, which considering Thomas was dating the other character until 95% of the book no wonder he assumes someone else. Thomas clears it up that he means that he wants to date Seong, they share a single kiss and the book is over.
The two MCs of this books aren't even together in any part of this book.
The author leaves a note at the end saying sorry for the slow burn, which I mean if you're hoping for spice sure it's there just not between the two MCs at all. That there will be a bonus chapter in the printed book, and how to get it in ebook a month after release. The author noted that they just couldn't hurry Seong and Thomas together, that the characters had other plans which yeah fair, but in saying that then maybe these two aren't meant to be together at all?
I was incredibly excited for this book, I really enjoyed Seong in the beginning of this book and all through book one, I wanted Thomas to be able to finally have something happy for himself after so much suffering. For someone to just give him some love! That didn't happen, the character he was with for this book was selfish, which Thomas's friends tell him they were going to suggest he break up with the other guy because of how Thomas was never put first. Seong states multiple times how he will be there for Thomas he just needs to reach out, but when we get to the main big bad part of the book Seong ignores Thomas's call for help because he's busy with his hook-up. Seong checks his phone and sees that he missed Thomas's call but blows it off assuming it's over something small and doesn't call back. Thomas again has an altercation where he calls Seong but once again Seong ignores his call, other people are in the room suggesting he should answer but he just shrugs it off. Just....???? I don't understand at all. Seong only goes to call Thomas because Thomas has sent him an email with the subject line: Answer your phone ____ and one of the other Zoo members reads the subject line out loud. And then Seong finally calls and says how he'll be there and protect him and blah, blah blah. Considering this was supposed to be their love story and that didn't really happen, for Seong to just start brushing Thomas off is not something I enjoyed or expected from a man who was pining so incredibly hard at the beginning of the book.
I will say that yes Seong clearly cared for Thomas but he let their age difference be this insurmountable obstacle to the point where they never got together. Sure the book ends with them having a conversation and a kiss but since we have to many other parts of the book where the MCs are very involved with other people I just can't think of this as a romance for Thomas and Seong.
If you're looking for a typical romance between Seong and Thomas, this book might not work for you.
This review is going to have major spoilers.
*****
For some reason I thought that this would be a romance between Thomas and Seong. There's pining, trying to stay away but unable to, always drifting back to each other, reasons why it wouldn't work to be together, etc, all things I usually see in a romance. I was at around 40% of the way through the book when I started to think WTF is happening here??
We have Thomas who clearly starts to have a crush forming on someone other than Seong, enough to out on a date. Okay I can understand that since Thomas doesn't think Seong is interested and this other character clearly is. We see some making out before the book changes to Seong perspective, no biggie I expect it to not work out for Thomas and this other character, but then we get into Seong's perspective just in time to see him plan a hookup and are then given a detailed s*x scene with Seong and this other character who is not Thomas. This is the part where I went, again, to check the books description because what in the world is happening? Hooking up with other people, on page, at 45% of a story (unless the book is labeled as MM+) is not what I expected, and that's fine, clearly this book wasn't meant for me.
I started to skim to see when exactly our two MCs are actually expected to get together in their book... on the last chapter. They share a single conversation where Thomas says he hopes to tell other people he's taken and Seong starts to back away from him, which considering Thomas was dating the other character until 95% of the book no wonder he assumes someone else. Thomas clears it up that he means that he wants to date Seong, they share a single kiss and the book is over.
The two MCs of this books aren't even together in any part of this book.
The author leaves a note at the end saying sorry for the slow burn, which I mean if you're hoping for spice sure it's there just not between the two MCs at all. That there will be a bonus chapter in the printed book, and how to get it in ebook a month after release. The author noted that they just couldn't hurry Seong and Thomas together, that the characters had other plans which yeah fair, but in saying that then maybe these two aren't meant to be together at all?
I was incredibly excited for this book, I really enjoyed Seong in the beginning of this book and all through book one, I wanted Thomas to be able to finally have something happy for himself after so much suffering. For someone to just give him some love! That didn't happen, the character he was with for this book was selfish, which Thomas's friends tell him they were going to suggest he break up with the other guy because of how Thomas was never put first. Seong states multiple times how he will be there for Thomas he just needs to reach out, but when we get to the main big bad part of the book Seong ignores Thomas's call for help because he's busy with his hook-up. Seong checks his phone and sees that he missed Thomas's call but blows it off assuming it's over something small and doesn't call back. Thomas again has an altercation where he calls Seong but once again Seong ignores his call, other people are in the room suggesting he should answer but he just shrugs it off. Just....???? I don't understand at all. Seong only goes to call Thomas because Thomas has sent him an email with the subject line: Answer your phone ____ and one of the other Zoo members reads the subject line out loud. And then Seong finally calls and says how he'll be there and protect him and blah, blah blah. Considering this was supposed to be their love story and that didn't really happen, for Seong to just start brushing Thomas off is not something I enjoyed or expected from a man who was pining so incredibly hard at the beginning of the book.
I will say that yes Seong clearly cared for Thomas but he let their age difference be this insurmountable obstacle to the point where they never got together. Sure the book ends with them having a conversation and a kiss but since we have to many other parts of the book where the MCs are very involved with other people I just can't think of this as a romance for Thomas and Seong.
If you're looking for a typical romance between Seong and Thomas, this book might not work for you.
April 8, 2024
I really liked the book and it feels like i have been waiting forever for their story. but the book feels like a prequel of their story, it ends right when they agree to start their romance. before that they have slowly built a strong foundation in friendship. and if this is all we will see of their relationship. except for them being in the background in other books. I’m going to be so disappointed and sad. so i have put the rating lower, because it is not showed in the end of the book that it will have continued for their full romance story in future books. and if this book is all we really get… its not enough for me.
October 31, 2024
DNF @ 37%.
I really liked the first book, and that is unfortunately not the case, at all, with this book.
I, admittedly, am a little squicked by the 23 year old Seong being infatuated with the 18 year old Thomas. The still-in-highschool Thomas. And Seong himself seems squicked out by it, so that’s not helping matters.
Meanwhile, Thomas may have killed a man, but he is a kid who never really got to be a kid. And now he is trying to get his grades together to pass high school, trying to figure out what he wants to study, trying to make friends, trying to get over the trauma of his past.
I think that’s plenty on his plate already, but we gotta throw romance into the mix?
But, almost 40% in, there hasn’t been any romance. You have Seong with his inappropriate crush. And Thomas who thinks Seong is out of his league. And a roofied Thomas making a pass Seong. They have had two interactions on page, one all of 15 minutes maybe.
And, having read other reviews, I’m not at all mad that this slow burn doesn’t even really start to show signs of life til the end, because I don’t think Thomas in a place for a relationship, and especially not with the 23 year old Seong he admits he probably imprinted on.
It’s debatable if I will continue with the series. I don’t plan on immediately considering the third book. I’ll probably hold out and see what other pairings are gonna be happening before potentially revisiting the Three Rings.
I really liked the first book, and that is unfortunately not the case, at all, with this book.
I, admittedly, am a little squicked by the 23 year old Seong being infatuated with the 18 year old Thomas. The still-in-highschool Thomas. And Seong himself seems squicked out by it, so that’s not helping matters.
Meanwhile, Thomas may have killed a man, but he is a kid who never really got to be a kid. And now he is trying to get his grades together to pass high school, trying to figure out what he wants to study, trying to make friends, trying to get over the trauma of his past.
I think that’s plenty on his plate already, but we gotta throw romance into the mix?
But, almost 40% in, there hasn’t been any romance. You have Seong with his inappropriate crush. And Thomas who thinks Seong is out of his league. And a roofied Thomas making a pass Seong. They have had two interactions on page, one all of 15 minutes maybe.
And, having read other reviews, I’m not at all mad that this slow burn doesn’t even really start to show signs of life til the end, because I don’t think Thomas in a place for a relationship, and especially not with the 23 year old Seong he admits he probably imprinted on.
It’s debatable if I will continue with the series. I don’t plan on immediately considering the third book. I’ll probably hold out and see what other pairings are gonna be happening before potentially revisiting the Three Rings.
June 27, 2024
ugh
Okay so I loved the first in this series but this one was so frustrating.
This was not a story about Seong and Thomas. There’s slow burn and then there’s literally no steam or romance except between the two MCs being with other people like what?!? They got together at 99% and didn’t even kiss… I mean come on. They barely interacted through the whole book and I just kept reading hoping it would develop but it never did. I regret sticking through it. At one point I went back to the blurb thinking I must have messed up and it wasn’t a romance between Seong and Thomas but some filler book until their story really started but no. The blurb was misleading and the book just disappointing in general.
I don’t understand what this author was thinking with this. I probably won’t continue with this series honestly because I can’t trust the author not to be all tease and drama with zero deepening relationship/romance.
Okay so I loved the first in this series but this one was so frustrating.
This was not a story about Seong and Thomas. There’s slow burn and then there’s literally no steam or romance except between the two MCs being with other people like what?!? They got together at 99% and didn’t even kiss… I mean come on. They barely interacted through the whole book and I just kept reading hoping it would develop but it never did. I regret sticking through it. At one point I went back to the blurb thinking I must have messed up and it wasn’t a romance between Seong and Thomas but some filler book until their story really started but no. The blurb was misleading and the book just disappointing in general.
I don’t understand what this author was thinking with this. I probably won’t continue with this series honestly because I can’t trust the author not to be all tease and drama with zero deepening relationship/romance.
June 17, 2025
I want to rate this higher, the whole book is a prologue
I very much enjoyed Book 1 The Cat's Maus. Plot, character development, flow, spicy times. It was fun, entertaining, and I was thoroughly engrossed. LOVE Felinus and Issac. Goals.
This book started the same way. However, the errors in the Kindle unlimited version I'm reading were distracting. (Not sure if it's the same for print and electronic versions.) From start to finish. I can ignore errors all day when the point and message are clear. However, it was very distracting for me. It took me out of the moment and made me realize I was actually reading instead of my brain enjoying the movie it was creating. It was frustrating to keep being pulled out. It was like watching a movie in the dark and then having the lights turned on and off randomly throughout. The movie is enjoyable but the lights going on and off take away from the entire experience.
This next one is split for me 50/50. I very much appreciated that the newly 18 year old MMC wasn't immediately thrown into bed with the 23 year old MMC. I enjoyed the development of each character to find their own love experience. How-damn-ever, ain't sh!t happen. The one and only kiss came on the last damn page. Again, as a reader and lover of books, YES MAKE THE STORY NOT JUST ABOUT CRAZY MONKEY SEX FROM CHANDELIERS! HAVE THEM ACTUALLY HAVE THEIR OWN SEPARATE EXPERIENCES TO LEARN FROM BEFORE JUMPING INTO BED. But I wanted to DNF so hard when I realized this was the way the book was going. I enjoyed it so much, I would have kept reading for another 350 pages to get MORE about Seong and Thomas, errors and all. It wasn't enough for me. It didn't feed me like The Cat's Maus did.
I will absolutely read book 3 because I enjoyed Book 1 so much and because I see the potential in book 2.
I very much enjoyed Book 1 The Cat's Maus. Plot, character development, flow, spicy times. It was fun, entertaining, and I was thoroughly engrossed. LOVE Felinus and Issac. Goals.
This book started the same way. However, the errors in the Kindle unlimited version I'm reading were distracting. (Not sure if it's the same for print and electronic versions.) From start to finish. I can ignore errors all day when the point and message are clear. However, it was very distracting for me. It took me out of the moment and made me realize I was actually reading instead of my brain enjoying the movie it was creating. It was frustrating to keep being pulled out. It was like watching a movie in the dark and then having the lights turned on and off randomly throughout. The movie is enjoyable but the lights going on and off take away from the entire experience.
This next one is split for me 50/50. I very much appreciated that the newly 18 year old MMC wasn't immediately thrown into bed with the 23 year old MMC. I enjoyed the development of each character to find their own love experience. How-damn-ever, ain't sh!t happen. The one and only kiss came on the last damn page. Again, as a reader and lover of books, YES MAKE THE STORY NOT JUST ABOUT CRAZY MONKEY SEX FROM CHANDELIERS! HAVE THEM ACTUALLY HAVE THEIR OWN SEPARATE EXPERIENCES TO LEARN FROM BEFORE JUMPING INTO BED. But I wanted to DNF so hard when I realized this was the way the book was going. I enjoyed it so much, I would have kept reading for another 350 pages to get MORE about Seong and Thomas, errors and all. It wasn't enough for me. It didn't feed me like The Cat's Maus did.
I will absolutely read book 3 because I enjoyed Book 1 so much and because I see the potential in book 2.
March 19, 2024
I wasn't ready for what this book did to my heart.
Emotionally and physically.
There were moments that had me gripping the edge of my seat and my pulse racing. Sav continues to write characters that feel like real people. You get wrapped up in their stories and hope for the best, but in a mafia setting you know that no one is safe.
Coming in at the end of The Cat's Maus, Thomas's trauma is apparent from the get go. You just want to wrap him up and protect him from the whole damn world. I adored his character growth as he fought to find his own path as an honest man, despite his entire life straddling the edge that is the Three Rings. I hated and loved watching him notice Seong from afar, knowing what he wanted but feeling unable to close that gap.
Seong's story is heartbreaking, but allows him to connect with Thomas on a level that no one else can as he eyes him from the sidelines, trying to convince himself that a made man is not what the guy needs in his life. But Snake isn't the only one that takes notice of Thomas, and giving his full attention to what his heart wants may be the only way to protect him in the end.
The burn is slow. The road full of charming banter and angst. While The Hacker's Heart may not be on the same spice level as the first installment in the series, it will most certainly get the blood pumping, and makes up for it in so many other ways.
Emotionally and physically.
There were moments that had me gripping the edge of my seat and my pulse racing. Sav continues to write characters that feel like real people. You get wrapped up in their stories and hope for the best, but in a mafia setting you know that no one is safe.
Coming in at the end of The Cat's Maus, Thomas's trauma is apparent from the get go. You just want to wrap him up and protect him from the whole damn world. I adored his character growth as he fought to find his own path as an honest man, despite his entire life straddling the edge that is the Three Rings. I hated and loved watching him notice Seong from afar, knowing what he wanted but feeling unable to close that gap.
Seong's story is heartbreaking, but allows him to connect with Thomas on a level that no one else can as he eyes him from the sidelines, trying to convince himself that a made man is not what the guy needs in his life. But Snake isn't the only one that takes notice of Thomas, and giving his full attention to what his heart wants may be the only way to protect him in the end.
The burn is slow. The road full of charming banter and angst. While The Hacker's Heart may not be on the same spice level as the first installment in the series, it will most certainly get the blood pumping, and makes up for it in so many other ways.
April 19, 2024
THE BUUUURN!
I wasn't ready for what this book did to my heart.
Emotionally and physically.
There were moments that had me gripping the edge of my seat and my pulse racing. Sav continues to write characters that feel like real people. You get wrapped up in their stories and hope for the best, but in a mafia setting you know that no one is safe.
Coming in at the end of The Cat's Maus, Thomas's trauma is apparent from the get go. You just want to wrap him up and protect him from the whole damn world. I adored his character growth as he fought to find his own path as an honest man, despite his entire life straddling the edge that is the Three Rings. I hated and loved watching him notice Seong from afar, knowing what he wanted but feeling unable to close that gap.
Seong's story is heartbreaking, but allows him to connect with Thomas on a level that no one else can as he eyes him from the sidelines, trying to convince himself that a made man is not what the guy needs in his life. But Snake isn't the only one that takes notice of Thomas, and giving his full attention to what his heart wants may be the only way to protect him in the end.
The burn is slow. The road full of charming banter and angst. While The Hacker's Heart may not be on the same spice level as the first installment in the series, it will most certainly get the blood pumping, and makes up for it in so many other ways.
I wasn't ready for what this book did to my heart.
Emotionally and physically.
There were moments that had me gripping the edge of my seat and my pulse racing. Sav continues to write characters that feel like real people. You get wrapped up in their stories and hope for the best, but in a mafia setting you know that no one is safe.
Coming in at the end of The Cat's Maus, Thomas's trauma is apparent from the get go. You just want to wrap him up and protect him from the whole damn world. I adored his character growth as he fought to find his own path as an honest man, despite his entire life straddling the edge that is the Three Rings. I hated and loved watching him notice Seong from afar, knowing what he wanted but feeling unable to close that gap.
Seong's story is heartbreaking, but allows him to connect with Thomas on a level that no one else can as he eyes him from the sidelines, trying to convince himself that a made man is not what the guy needs in his life. But Snake isn't the only one that takes notice of Thomas, and giving his full attention to what his heart wants may be the only way to protect him in the end.
The burn is slow. The road full of charming banter and angst. While The Hacker's Heart may not be on the same spice level as the first installment in the series, it will most certainly get the blood pumping, and makes up for it in so many other ways.
November 5, 2025
I felt like this could have been more. It was good, but quite slow. I loved the first book, five star’ed it. This book didnt have me sitting on the edge of my seat like the first one did. It didn’t hold the same spark I got from the first book.
Danny was kind of set up to fail. Most of the problems stemmed from a lack of communication. I felt sorry for him, he was left in the dark about nearly everything. Even to the end he still didn’t learn the truth.
And seong definitely set that up, Danny may have written it in anger but seong sent it (if you know you know)
This is more a Danny and Thomas love story. And I think there should be a part two of this book, to be the Seong and Thomas love story
I feel like this story was missing some scenes and missing the same spark the first book had.
I do want to learn more about Alexander, hope he comes up in other books. He seems like an interesting character with secrets to be unlocked.
All that said. I will be reading the next book. Can’t wait for it to drop.
Danny was kind of set up to fail. Most of the problems stemmed from a lack of communication. I felt sorry for him, he was left in the dark about nearly everything. Even to the end he still didn’t learn the truth.
And seong definitely set that up, Danny may have written it in anger but seong sent it (if you know you know)
This is more a Danny and Thomas love story. And I think there should be a part two of this book, to be the Seong and Thomas love story
I feel like this story was missing some scenes and missing the same spark the first book had.
I do want to learn more about Alexander, hope he comes up in other books. He seems like an interesting character with secrets to be unlocked.
All that said. I will be reading the next book. Can’t wait for it to drop.
June 28, 2024
Multi pov
3rd p
No "sex"
Slow burn
Breakup
Violence
3rd p
No "sex"
Slow burn
Breakup
Violence
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2024
Talk about a slow burn! 🤣❤️🔥
I had already fallen in love with this series after reading The Cat's Maus but this one completely stole my heart and I don't want it back.
The history of grooming that both Seong and Thomas went through resonated so deeply with me and my own history with it. Seong is already into his recovery from it and helps Thomas start his journey. The connection between them is so comforting, adorable and gripping!
I could not put this book down and stayed up well into the wee hours of the morning to finish it as there was no way I was going to be able to sleep until I finished it! And I have no regrets!
I cannot wait to see what comes with the rest of the series. Seeing more of the other characters has me excited for the next coupling!
You do no necessarily need to read The Cat's Maus before this one to enjoy the story, but there is information from the first book which is handy to have to understand the full depth of The Hacker's Heart.
Well done Sav! This is an amazing read! You had me in tears, laughter and giggling like a smitted school girl! Bravo! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I had already fallen in love with this series after reading The Cat's Maus but this one completely stole my heart and I don't want it back.
The history of grooming that both Seong and Thomas went through resonated so deeply with me and my own history with it. Seong is already into his recovery from it and helps Thomas start his journey. The connection between them is so comforting, adorable and gripping!
I could not put this book down and stayed up well into the wee hours of the morning to finish it as there was no way I was going to be able to sleep until I finished it! And I have no regrets!
I cannot wait to see what comes with the rest of the series. Seeing more of the other characters has me excited for the next coupling!
You do no necessarily need to read The Cat's Maus before this one to enjoy the story, but there is information from the first book which is handy to have to understand the full depth of The Hacker's Heart.
Well done Sav! This is an amazing read! You had me in tears, laughter and giggling like a smitted school girl! Bravo! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews