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While You Sleep
Monster. Stalker. But from now on... I'll call him husband.
I thought Cillian O'Rourke was my friend, but it was all a twisted lie.
He’s the brutal enforcer and bastard son of a notorious crime family and nothing but a cold and hollow soul—one who manipulates others and breaks into my apartment at night to watch me sleep.
My father could have protected me, instead he offered me up to save himself. Now I'm trapped in Cillian's world and becoming as depraved as him—because in the darkness, when he pretends to be the man I thought he was, and not the monster he truly is, I surrender completely.
He's both terrifying and beautiful, but I can't fall for him. This isn't real...and my new husband is incapable of ever loving me back.
I thought Cillian O'Rourke was my friend, but it was all a twisted lie.
He’s the brutal enforcer and bastard son of a notorious crime family and nothing but a cold and hollow soul—one who manipulates others and breaks into my apartment at night to watch me sleep.
My father could have protected me, instead he offered me up to save himself. Now I'm trapped in Cillian's world and becoming as depraved as him—because in the darkness, when he pretends to be the man I thought he was, and not the monster he truly is, I surrender completely.
He's both terrifying and beautiful, but I can't fall for him. This isn't real...and my new husband is incapable of ever loving me back.
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 26, 2024
64 people are currently reading
793 people want to read
About the author
Sherilee Gray
53 books1,269 followersSherilee Gray is a kiwi girl and lives in beautiful New Zealand with her husband and their two children. When she isn't writing sexy contemporary and paranormal romance, searching for her next alpha hero on Pinterest, or fueling her voracious book addiction, she can be found dreaming of far off places with a mug of tea in one hand and a bar of chocolate in the other.
Sign up for Sherilee's newsletter for updates and giveaways: http://www.sherileegray.com/contactne...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
December 31, 2024
𝟑.𝟖𝟓 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬
This dark mafia romance was eminently spicy followed by the trope of stalking and forced marriage. The smut in this book was superbly written and the plot was adroitly executed too.
It's always about the man with red flags turning green only for his woman that gets me and that's exactly what happened here. I absolutely adored how both the characters worked on getting along despite their contrasting personalities. This book properly executed the praise kink and the dirty talking mmc.
On a second note, I loved the ending but I can't help but feel it was rushed and many important details were just blandly mentioned like having one of the enemies taken down. Such scenes should've been described instead of mentioning it in one line and getting it over with. I feel the author put more focus on the romantic aspect over the mafia driven plot, which wasn't any less intriguing but it would've been better if the former and the latter were balanced. Nevertheless I still enjoyed it anyway 🫶🏻
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁: Stalking, Erotica, Dark mafia romance, praise kink, somnophilia, marriage of convenience, consensual non consent (CNC), forced proximity, obsessive/predatory hero, dubious consent, child abuse, murder, guns, violence.
જ⁀➴ Quotes :
✧“I feel safer here with you than I ever have in my entire life.”
✧“You still love me?”
“I never stopped.”
✧ The urge to smile, it’s come over me more since you’ve been here than it has my entire life.
✧ So what was it about her that had that effect on me? There was no logical explanation for this obsession, but I’d found a word for it online. Limerence: a state of involuntary obsession for another person. Symptoms included obsessive thoughts about that person, a strong desire for reciprocation, and an idealized image of the object of one’s obsession—I had them all.
This dark mafia romance was eminently spicy followed by the trope of stalking and forced marriage. The smut in this book was superbly written and the plot was adroitly executed too.
It's always about the man with red flags turning green only for his woman that gets me and that's exactly what happened here. I absolutely adored how both the characters worked on getting along despite their contrasting personalities. This book properly executed the praise kink and the dirty talking mmc.
On a second note, I loved the ending but I can't help but feel it was rushed and many important details were just blandly mentioned like having one of the enemies taken down. Such scenes should've been described instead of mentioning it in one line and getting it over with. I feel the author put more focus on the romantic aspect over the mafia driven plot, which wasn't any less intriguing but it would've been better if the former and the latter were balanced. Nevertheless I still enjoyed it anyway 🫶🏻
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁: Stalking, Erotica, Dark mafia romance, praise kink, somnophilia, marriage of convenience, consensual non consent (CNC), forced proximity, obsessive/predatory hero, dubious consent, child abuse, murder, guns, violence.
જ⁀➴ Quotes :
✧“I feel safer here with you than I ever have in my entire life.”
✧“You still love me?”
“I never stopped.”
✧ The urge to smile, it’s come over me more since you’ve been here than it has my entire life.
✧ So what was it about her that had that effect on me? There was no logical explanation for this obsession, but I’d found a word for it online. Limerence: a state of involuntary obsession for another person. Symptoms included obsessive thoughts about that person, a strong desire for reciprocation, and an idealized image of the object of one’s obsession—I had them all.
![Profile Image for Carol [Goodreads Addict].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1626057011i%2F10717098._UX200_CR0%2C33%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
May 9, 2025
While You Sleep is a brand new stand alone romance by Sherilee Gray. Ladies and Gentlemen, I have a new favorite book by Sheriilee. I read this in one day. I could NOT put it down. And when I finished, I laid awake for quite awhile, not being able to stop thinking about it! This book is amazing!!!
Sophia Brennan is twenty four years old. Her father is head of the Brennan family, one of the city’s crime families. She is a graphic designer and is just trying to live her life and separate herself from her family. She is a bit introverted and shy. Her world is turned upside down when she is called to her father’s house and told that he is in trouble and the only way to get out of it is to create an alliance by marrying her into another family. She is given no choice.
Cillian O’Rourke is thirty two years old and is the enforcer for the O’Rourke family. He is the son of his father’s mistress and has never been recognized as an heir. But Cillian has just been biding his time until he can show everyone just what he is capable of. Cillian has been told to gather information on Sophia, to follow her. With this task, an obsession is born. One Cillian has no control over. It’s only a matter of time. She will be his. And he will never let her go.
Both Sophia and Cillian have been deprived of love. The difference is, Sophia craves it while Cillian is not capable of it. He doesn’t feel emotion, he is broken. But, he takes care of what is his.
What does it say about me that I fell madly in love with Cillian? He is most definitely morally gray, a very dark gray! With alternating POV’s, we are allowed into his head and believe me when I say, this man has a cold, brutal side! But he also has a soft side for his Sophia. These two have been manipulated their entire lives. One of them just wants to be left alone. The other wants revenge and power. But in Cillian, Sophia finds that he fulfills a darker part of herself she didn’t know existed!
All I can say about this is just read this book! It’s dark and twisty and steamy and I loved every word. I sincerely hope that Sherilee will be writing more in this world. I need more so my fingers are crossed!
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Sophia Brennan is twenty four years old. Her father is head of the Brennan family, one of the city’s crime families. She is a graphic designer and is just trying to live her life and separate herself from her family. She is a bit introverted and shy. Her world is turned upside down when she is called to her father’s house and told that he is in trouble and the only way to get out of it is to create an alliance by marrying her into another family. She is given no choice.
Cillian O’Rourke is thirty two years old and is the enforcer for the O’Rourke family. He is the son of his father’s mistress and has never been recognized as an heir. But Cillian has just been biding his time until he can show everyone just what he is capable of. Cillian has been told to gather information on Sophia, to follow her. With this task, an obsession is born. One Cillian has no control over. It’s only a matter of time. She will be his. And he will never let her go.
Both Sophia and Cillian have been deprived of love. The difference is, Sophia craves it while Cillian is not capable of it. He doesn’t feel emotion, he is broken. But, he takes care of what is his.
What does it say about me that I fell madly in love with Cillian? He is most definitely morally gray, a very dark gray! With alternating POV’s, we are allowed into his head and believe me when I say, this man has a cold, brutal side! But he also has a soft side for his Sophia. These two have been manipulated their entire lives. One of them just wants to be left alone. The other wants revenge and power. But in Cillian, Sophia finds that he fulfills a darker part of herself she didn’t know existed!
All I can say about this is just read this book! It’s dark and twisty and steamy and I loved every word. I sincerely hope that Sherilee will be writing more in this world. I need more so my fingers are crossed!
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
June 6, 2024
'W𝐇I𝐋E Y𝐎U S𝐋E𝐄P' Is a fairytale retelling of 'Beauty & the Beast' by new to me author 'Sherilee Gray.' Spoken in dual POV's. One look at the cover and I was sold, one read over the blurb and I one clicked on release day, perfect way to spend the day, loaded up with Easter eggs and a book I couldn't put down. I also loved that this was from a kiwi author!!
Cillian O'Rourke had one job, and one job only, garner as much info as he could about Sophia Brennan and report back, not to sneak into her apartment after that assignment was finished most nights for near on a year and watch over her whilst she slept, sounds creepy but it was kind of sweet in a fucked up Cillian kind of way.
Thus an obsession grew.
Twenty four year old Sophia Brennan suffers from REM (a severe sleep Behaviour disorder) and is an online graphic designer which allows her to nap when needed, she's also vying to distance herself from her father's empire of one of the top crime lords in the city.
Thirty-two year old Cillian O’Rourke is an enforcer for his family but is biding his time to take over as the head of the family.
Unbeknownst to Sophia though she's to be used as collateral in a marriage into the O’Rourke family, marrying Adam, Cillian's half brother combining the two families and making them more powerful than ever.
But if Cillian can't have Sophia no one can even if it means killing for her and claiming her as his.
Being that this was the first book I've read by this author, she got me hooked from the get go and right up till I closed out of the very last page, leaving me hoping we dive back into this world because I never wanted it to end.
These two in a normal world were opposites in every way, but delve deeper and they were perfect for each other, she wrung out a more human side to him, and he showed her what she was missing all these years. She'd grown up in a loveless cold environment similar to him, together their unwavering devotion to each other cemented their bond.
March 25, 2024
Holy heck this book is nuclear! It’s been a long while since I’ve found a broken hero that I could root for but Sherilee Gray just introduced me to one that stole my heart and had me wide eyed and panting for breath. I loved Cillian’s possessiveness and from the moment he first saw Sophia, she was his. His dark presence kept me on edge and once he took complete possession of her I was in for a wild and twisted ride.
Definitely recommend this one to those that love a dark romance.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
Steam
Definitely recommend this one to those that love a dark romance.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
Steam
June 5, 2024
Mafia dark smutty monster.
You can thank me later 🤓
You can thank me later 🤓
April 13, 2024
Absolutely amazing!!!
An arranged marriage that's hijacked by the guy that's been stalking you for over a year.
Loved Cillian so much and loved how Sherilee wrote the praise kink in this book. It felt natural and was a part of both how he was in the bedroom and in everyday interactions with Soph. I loved the motivation for it too, that he knew that she'd never been loved or given attention her whole life and in return she knew that he'd been abused and neglected so all she wanted to do was take care of him and please him.
It's obviously not all roses at the start because he quite literally steals her on her wedding day, kills her intended husband and there is the minor confession that he's been stalking her for the better part of a year and watching her sleep but what's an arranged marriage without some initial issues and sexual tension???
There were a couple of really really hot somnophilia scenes as well because our dear Soph has a sleeping disorder, making her a real life sleeping beauty.
Highly recommend this book if you love arranged marriages, praise kink, filthy talking Hs, smoking hot sex, somnophilia, a well crafted mafia sub plot which isn't too heavy but also not so vague that you forget you're reading a mafia book.
An arranged marriage that's hijacked by the guy that's been stalking you for over a year.
Loved Cillian so much and loved how Sherilee wrote the praise kink in this book. It felt natural and was a part of both how he was in the bedroom and in everyday interactions with Soph. I loved the motivation for it too, that he knew that she'd never been loved or given attention her whole life and in return she knew that he'd been abused and neglected so all she wanted to do was take care of him and please him.
It's obviously not all roses at the start because he quite literally steals her on her wedding day, kills her intended husband and there is the minor confession that he's been stalking her for the better part of a year and watching her sleep but what's an arranged marriage without some initial issues and sexual tension???
There were a couple of really really hot somnophilia scenes as well because our dear Soph has a sleeping disorder, making her a real life sleeping beauty.
Highly recommend this book if you love arranged marriages, praise kink, filthy talking Hs, smoking hot sex, somnophilia, a well crafted mafia sub plot which isn't too heavy but also not so vague that you forget you're reading a mafia book.
December 12, 2025
Give me all the Cillians but keep the Sophias far away from me
It's heroes like Cillian that have made me love dark romance. It's heroines like Sophia that ruin them.
࿔*:･ The hero
It's never said explicitly, but I think the hero is
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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It's heroes like Cillian that have made me love dark romance. It's heroines like Sophia that ruin them.
࿔*:･ The hero
It's never said explicitly, but I think the hero is
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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July 11, 2024
It's been a minute since I've read a smutty romance and even longer since I've read a mafia romance, so it was a very much 2-for-1 deal with While You Sleep. The book started off strong but it lost steam and by the end, I was relieved to be done.
I think this book had a lot of potential to be great but it missed the mark. The hero is supposed to be a tortured and violent man who does not feel or understand emotions well except when he's brooding over his obsession over the heroine. The heroine is not as interesting. She's the naïve virgin and not much else. She's forced into marrying him and then they fall in love. That's pretty much the story.
Don't read this for the mafia aspect, because it was super weak and confusing to follow.
Don't read this for the fairytale retelling aspect. The hero repeatedly calls the heroine his "sleeping beauty," but this was very much not a Sleeping Beauty story. Toward the end, the heroine calls the hero the monster from that story, but there isn't a male monster in Sleeping Beauty.
Don't read this for the sex scenes. The sex scenes were very repetitive and not particularly inventive.
Also, I don't think the author did her due diligence when it came to researching Chicago. The author has the hero living in a lakeside beach house. The heroine moves in with him and loves listening to the waves hitting the beach. Waves??? Lakes aren't really known for producing crashing waves. The ocean is, but the ocean is nowhere near Chicago.... that kinda bothered me.
Read this if you want something smutty, uncomplicated and not super long.
I think this book had a lot of potential to be great but it missed the mark. The hero is supposed to be a tortured and violent man who does not feel or understand emotions well except when he's brooding over his obsession over the heroine. The heroine is not as interesting. She's the naïve virgin and not much else. She's forced into marrying him and then they fall in love. That's pretty much the story.
Don't read this for the mafia aspect, because it was super weak and confusing to follow.
Don't read this for the fairytale retelling aspect. The hero repeatedly calls the heroine his "sleeping beauty," but this was very much not a Sleeping Beauty story. Toward the end, the heroine calls the hero the monster from that story, but there isn't a male monster in Sleeping Beauty.
Don't read this for the sex scenes. The sex scenes were very repetitive and not particularly inventive.
Also, I don't think the author did her due diligence when it came to researching Chicago. The author has the hero living in a lakeside beach house. The heroine moves in with him and loves listening to the waves hitting the beach. Waves??? Lakes aren't really known for producing crashing waves. The ocean is, but the ocean is nowhere near Chicago.... that kinda bothered me.
Read this if you want something smutty, uncomplicated and not super long.
March 21, 2024
While you sleep is what dark romance mafia dreams are made for. The minute I read the content warning, I was hooked! I absolutely love Sherilee Gray's writing and love the spin on Sleeping Beauty. This story was dark, so so sexy and exactly what I needed. I am so, so excited that Gray has returned to writing dark stories like this as I fell in love with her writing with the Lawless Kings series! Bravo! 5 stars! ~Ratula ❤️
March 17, 2024
While You Sleep😴
While You Sleep is a new story by this author which I absolutely loved❣️Imagine a dark and twisted version of Sleeping Beauty and throw in some mafia mayhem and violence as well as a possessive, alpha male and you have all the darker elements required for this dark romance😍
Cillian is not like any villain you’ve ever met and Sophia, is the one to help him see the lighter parts of life🥰 I thoroughly enjoyed this tale and I hope we get more in this new world🤞
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily leave my honest review❤️
While You Sleep is a new story by this author which I absolutely loved❣️Imagine a dark and twisted version of Sleeping Beauty and throw in some mafia mayhem and violence as well as a possessive, alpha male and you have all the darker elements required for this dark romance😍
Cillian is not like any villain you’ve ever met and Sophia, is the one to help him see the lighter parts of life🥰 I thoroughly enjoyed this tale and I hope we get more in this new world🤞
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily leave my honest review❤️
April 9, 2024
Whoa!!! Talk about an obsessive, possessive,damaged morally grey hero!Cillian, my man,tag you are it!
This dark romance took me on a wild ride.I loved how OTT the hero Cillian was over his"pet."
Tropes
Dark mafia romance
Morally grey,dare I say psychotic,stalker hero
Virgin heroine
Forced marriage
Don't look,don't touch or you die vibes
Copious s3x scenes,take me while I sleep kink
Praise kink
Nice epilogue and bonus scene.
I hope Declan and Gaia gets a book.
This dark romance took me on a wild ride.I loved how OTT the hero Cillian was over his"pet."
Tropes
Dark mafia romance
Morally grey,dare I say psychotic,stalker hero
Virgin heroine
Forced marriage
Don't look,don't touch or you die vibes
Copious s3x scenes,take me while I sleep kink
Praise kink
Nice epilogue and bonus scene.
I hope Declan and Gaia gets a book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2024
Ви тільки подивіться на ці тропи.🤤
🖤Мафія.
🖤Шлюб за домовленістю.
🖤Різниця у віці (8 років).
🖤Головна героїня – незаймана.
🖤Головний герой - вбивця & сталкер.
🖤Друг з листування.
🖤Вайб "Сплячої красуні".
🖤Одержимий герой.
🖤Кінк на похвалу.
🖤Він називає її «кохана».
🖤Сомнофілія.
🖤Викрадення.
Значить побачила я їх, і така о, май це прям те що треба.
АЛЕ. ЖИРНЕ АЛЕ. яке це було розчарування.
Скажу що сам задум книги не поганий, але "ісполненіє вообще нє очень".
Софія Бреннан - 24 роки, її батько належить до мафії, але звісно вона такого життя не хоче. Вона хоче знайти милого хлопця, з яким проведе все життя. Вона стражає розладом сну.
Кілліан О' Рурк - 30 роки, інфорсер, син Шеймуса який був нарождений він коханки, він наданний момент є главою сім'ї. Але хоче передати свій трон Адаму, типу істиному спадкоємцю.
Так як родини О' Рурк і Бреннан співпрацювали роки разом, між ними мир. Але Шеймус говорить Кіллу щоб він простежив за Софією.
І в Кілла починається одержимість дівчиною.
Звісно її батько накосячів, і тепер щоб зберегти мир, Софія має вийти за Адама.
І що Кілл вбиває брата, та майже вбиває батька, він стає головним в родині. І звісно забирає собі Софію.
Ну наче ж сюжет не поганий? Я теж так подумала.
Яке ж це було розчарування. Їх кохання виникло ні звідки.
Я такого ще крінжа не ловила.😐😐
Софія - просто ідіотка, такі тупі вчинки.
В одній главі вона каже типу " Я його кину, бо він ж ніколи не покохає мене" , через 2 глави коли вона зрозуміла що вона конкретно налажала вона каже "Мені не потрібне його кохання, я просто хочу його".
Сцени +18, це взагалі кошмар, він забрав її цноту, і не відчув цього, ну звісно, бо до цього він в неї всунув 4 пальці.
Альоооо! Це що таке?😆
А типу Кілл, жорстокий вбивця, інфорсер, його називають монстром, але вгадайте що, для головної героїні він робить все, бігає за нею як песик.
Короче тут від мафії 0, я отримала миленький роман і то сумнівний.
Вайб сплячої красуні? Я б не сказала що там вона багато спала, можливо в перших главах.
Я дочитала бо книга не велика, і все ж таки сподівлась що вона стане краще.
Короче розчарувала...🥲
🖤Мафія.
🖤Шлюб за домовленістю.
🖤Різниця у віці (8 років).
🖤Головна героїня – незаймана.
🖤Головний герой - вбивця & сталкер.
🖤Друг з листування.
🖤Вайб "Сплячої красуні".
🖤Одержимий герой.
🖤Кінк на похвалу.
🖤Він називає її «кохана».
🖤Сомнофілія.
🖤Викрадення.
Значить побачила я їх, і така о, май це прям те що треба.
АЛЕ. ЖИРНЕ АЛЕ. яке це було розчарування.
Скажу що сам задум книги не поганий, але "ісполненіє вообще нє очень".
Софія Бреннан - 24 роки, її батько належить до мафії, але звісно вона такого життя не хоче. Вона хоче знайти милого хлопця, з яким проведе все життя. Вона стражає розладом сну.
Кілліан О' Рурк - 30 роки, інфорсер, син Шеймуса який був нарождений він коханки, він наданний момент є главою сім'ї. Але хоче передати свій трон Адаму, типу істиному спадкоємцю.
Так як родини О' Рурк і Бреннан співпрацювали роки разом, між ними мир. Але Шеймус говорить Кіллу щоб він простежив за Софією.
І в Кілла починається одержимість дівчиною.
Звісно її батько накосячів, і тепер щоб зберегти мир, Софія має вийти за Адама.
І що Кілл вбиває брата, та майже вбиває батька, він стає головним в родині. І звісно забирає собі Софію.
Ну наче ж сюжет не поганий? Я теж так подумала.
Яке ж це було розчарування. Їх кохання виникло ні звідки.
Я такого ще крінжа не ловила.😐😐
Софія - просто ідіотка, такі тупі вчинки.
В одній главі вона каже типу " Я його кину, бо він ж ніколи не покохає мене" , через 2 глави коли вона зрозуміла що вона конкретно налажала вона каже "Мені не потрібне його кохання, я просто хочу його".
Сцени +18, це взагалі кошмар, він забрав її цноту, і не відчув цього, ну звісно, бо до цього він в неї всунув 4 пальці.
Альоооо! Це що таке?😆
А типу Кілл, жорстокий вбивця, інфорсер, його називають монстром, але вгадайте що, для головної героїні він робить все, бігає за нею як песик.
Короче тут від мафії 0, я отримала миленький роман і то сумнівний.
Вайб сплячої красуні? Я б не сказала що там вона багато спала, можливо в перших главах.
Я дочитала бо книга не велика, і все ж таки сподівлась що вона стане краще.
Короче розчарувала...🥲
Read
March 27, 2024I’m sorry but the book was ruined for me when he started calling her Pet. That’s like the worse.
June 24, 2025
5⭐ because it had all my favorite things. It's been a minute since I've last read Gray's works but this reminded me of how much I enjoy her writing. Oftentimes the Mafia element is there, but it's more like a decoration than really having an active role in the story. Such was not the case here and for a relatively short read, I thought it was well executed. I really loved Sophia's character as well. She knew how Cilllian felt and fought for them. I will definitely be reading this again in the future.
April 27, 2024
2 - 2.5 stars
I am disappointed. And kinda pissed off tbh.
Because giving me a naive heroine is one thing.
But giving me a dumb moron with 2 pebbles rolling around where her brain should be, is something entirely different.
Now guess which one was Sophie, our heroine...
Honestly, I was sooo looking forward to this read.
I had such high hopes.
Because Cillian sounded exactly like my kind of hero: morally way past grey, a psychopath, brooding and completely fixated on the heroine.
And he did deliver. I absolutely loooooved him!
And then we have the poor excuse for a heroine, I call heroines like Sophie the Triple Ss: shallow, stupid and selfish.
There are many examples in the book when she shows her blatant stupidity but honestly I'm too tired too point them out now.
But the worst one was her betraying Cillian's trust to save her idiotic father who had treated her like a dirt under his nail her entire life. Yeah, that was completely mind-boggling to me.
Like, bitch, what were you thinking???
And when you add her idiotic best friend, Fiona (this bitch was a Triple S, too) to the list, the betraying body syndrome which I hate with passion, the heroine's lack of self-respect, plus the disappointing ending?
I'm sorry, I wanted to give it more, but I can't. The 2.5 stars are only for my boo, Cillian.
And if we had some depth to this story, then I would've given it 3, no doubt.
I still love Sherilee Gray, just this book was a miss for me.
I am disappointed. And kinda pissed off tbh.
Because giving me a naive heroine is one thing.
But giving me a dumb moron with 2 pebbles rolling around where her brain should be, is something entirely different.
Now guess which one was Sophie, our heroine...
Honestly, I was sooo looking forward to this read.
I had such high hopes.
Because Cillian sounded exactly like my kind of hero: morally way past grey, a psychopath, brooding and completely fixated on the heroine.
And he did deliver. I absolutely loooooved him!
And then we have the poor excuse for a heroine, I call heroines like Sophie the Triple Ss: shallow, stupid and selfish.
There are many examples in the book when she shows her blatant stupidity but honestly I'm too tired too point them out now.
But the worst one was her betraying Cillian's trust to save her idiotic father who had treated her like a dirt under his nail her entire life. Yeah, that was completely mind-boggling to me.
Like, bitch, what were you thinking???
And when you add her idiotic best friend, Fiona (this bitch was a Triple S, too) to the list, the betraying body syndrome which I hate with passion, the heroine's lack of self-respect, plus the disappointing ending?
I'm sorry, I wanted to give it more, but I can't. The 2.5 stars are only for my boo, Cillian.
And if we had some depth to this story, then I would've given it 3, no doubt.
I still love Sherilee Gray, just this book was a miss for me.
April 2, 2024
Nothing extraordinary!
Cillian should definitely give up his mafia boss position.
Sophia gave me second hand embarrassment. How could she be so dumb and characterless?
Two stars for smut. It was hot af!
- no cheating, no ow drama, heroine is a virgin as usual 🙄
Cillian should definitely give up his mafia boss position.
Sophia gave me second hand embarrassment. How could she be so dumb and characterless?
Two stars for smut. It was hot af!
- no cheating, no ow drama, heroine is a virgin as usual 🙄
March 26, 2024
HOLY. HELL.
THIS BOOK. It was SO GOOD! Intense and dark and so fucking delicious. Sherilee Gray always rocks my world with her words, and this story definitely did that…and then some. I am swooning from head to toe and back up again over Cillian O’Rourke. I want to be his Sleeping Beauty.
This book right here is one of the reasons why I love dark romance. The ones with morally gray heroes, superbly written, ones that make me fall HARD, and ones that make me question my own morals.
This story is full of heart-pounding goodness and all sorts of dark, seductive deliciousness. And I loved every single second of it. I devoured this book in a day and a half. It was intense, it was raw & gritty, and full of so many sexy AF moments I’m sure I was gripping my Kindle tight enough to break it.
It was raunchy (in the best way) and filthy (in the most yummy way), yet at the same time it was beautiful and heartwarming and full of so many feel-good emotions.
Cillian O’Rourke, such a beautiful, broken man. Cold, emotionless and heartless to most, but to Sophia, he’s so much more than that. Kidnapper? No, more like protector. Stalker? No. More like attentive and caring. Monster? Nah. I’d say more like he had to do what he had to do to survive and become as strong and powerful as he is. Obsessive? Welllllll…okay…I’d have to say yes to that. But it’s such a GOOD obsessive. Trust me.
Sophia is the perfect heroine for him. Although she can’t stand him and is kinda sorta afraid of him at first, she can’t help all the feelings she keeps having. She has needs, urges, wants…and it seems Cillian is the only one to satisfy all of those. Watching her feelings towards him progressively change was a beautiful thing to witness.
These two have been through so much throughout their lives. Bad things, depressing things, and way too many heartbreaking things. Put them together and you get two souls who were meant for each other. Two hearts that work together to heal the other. They have so much love to give, so much passion to share. They made my heart burst with happiness and flutter with all the swoons.
If you haven’t ever read a book by this author and you love dark romance, I can’t recommend this one enough. This would be a good one to start with. It’s a well-written stand-alone, makes you grip your kindle tightly, and gives you all the naughty urges and ALL THE TINGLES. My goodness…all the kinks in this story DID IT FOR ME. I sure hope those kinks do it for you too.
I love Sherilee’s words so much. They step off the page, they wrap around my heart, they give a good squeeze, and they never leave. That’s exactly how I like it.
**Be sure to read the CW for this book.**
THIS BOOK. It was SO GOOD! Intense and dark and so fucking delicious. Sherilee Gray always rocks my world with her words, and this story definitely did that…and then some. I am swooning from head to toe and back up again over Cillian O’Rourke. I want to be his Sleeping Beauty.
This book right here is one of the reasons why I love dark romance. The ones with morally gray heroes, superbly written, ones that make me fall HARD, and ones that make me question my own morals.
This story is full of heart-pounding goodness and all sorts of dark, seductive deliciousness. And I loved every single second of it. I devoured this book in a day and a half. It was intense, it was raw & gritty, and full of so many sexy AF moments I’m sure I was gripping my Kindle tight enough to break it.
It was raunchy (in the best way) and filthy (in the most yummy way), yet at the same time it was beautiful and heartwarming and full of so many feel-good emotions.
Cillian O’Rourke, such a beautiful, broken man. Cold, emotionless and heartless to most, but to Sophia, he’s so much more than that. Kidnapper? No, more like protector. Stalker? No. More like attentive and caring. Monster? Nah. I’d say more like he had to do what he had to do to survive and become as strong and powerful as he is. Obsessive? Welllllll…okay…I’d have to say yes to that. But it’s such a GOOD obsessive. Trust me.
Sophia is the perfect heroine for him. Although she can’t stand him and is kinda sorta afraid of him at first, she can’t help all the feelings she keeps having. She has needs, urges, wants…and it seems Cillian is the only one to satisfy all of those. Watching her feelings towards him progressively change was a beautiful thing to witness.
These two have been through so much throughout their lives. Bad things, depressing things, and way too many heartbreaking things. Put them together and you get two souls who were meant for each other. Two hearts that work together to heal the other. They have so much love to give, so much passion to share. They made my heart burst with happiness and flutter with all the swoons.
If you haven’t ever read a book by this author and you love dark romance, I can’t recommend this one enough. This would be a good one to start with. It’s a well-written stand-alone, makes you grip your kindle tightly, and gives you all the naughty urges and ALL THE TINGLES. My goodness…all the kinks in this story DID IT FOR ME. I sure hope those kinks do it for you too.
I love Sherilee’s words so much. They step off the page, they wrap around my heart, they give a good squeeze, and they never leave. That’s exactly how I like it.
**Be sure to read the CW for this book.**
Want to read
October 18, 2024Oh, no... Not the M.M.C. being named Cillian. 🤭
˖๋࣭ ⭑౨ৎ ࣪ ˖๋࣭ ⭑
😁😁
˖๋࣭ ⭑౨ৎ ࣪ ˖๋࣭ ⭑
😁😁
January 31, 2025
Not the worst thing in the world, but definitely very forgettable😅👉🏼👈🏼
July 21, 2025
3.5 stars: I do enjoy a good arranged marriage Mafia romance, so I decided to indulge. Having read some of Sherilee Gray's other work, which I thoroughly enjoyed, I thought this is going to be an emotionally charged, character - driven story with some mafia vibes.
The plot itself is good and I have to say that having an obsessive stalker/ protector is both terrifying and surprisingly alluring, especially if it is someone like Cillian O'Rourke. Dark, traumatic past, illegitimate son of the Mafia Leader and of course, a ruthless enforcer. This giant monster has a heart of gold, but only for those he cares about. I liked his character, despite his intensity, it was clear from the start that for him, there is only one woman that makes him tick. In contrast, Sophia was rather immature and I did find her reactions too childish at times. I did struggle connecting to her throughout the book.
All in all, this was an alright story though I would have preferred a more self - aware female main character. I suppose there is s certain charm having such a heroine, who falls for the dark and broody gentleman. However, I think that lately I feel more in tune with FMCs, who are slightly more mature, aware of what they want or at least what they definitely do not want. Despite my feelings towards the FMC, the story is well written, the pacing is good and of course, the MMC was absolutely captivating.
The plot itself is good and I have to say that having an obsessive stalker/ protector is both terrifying and surprisingly alluring, especially if it is someone like Cillian O'Rourke. Dark, traumatic past, illegitimate son of the Mafia Leader and of course, a ruthless enforcer. This giant monster has a heart of gold, but only for those he cares about. I liked his character, despite his intensity, it was clear from the start that for him, there is only one woman that makes him tick. In contrast, Sophia was rather immature and I did find her reactions too childish at times. I did struggle connecting to her throughout the book.
All in all, this was an alright story though I would have preferred a more self - aware female main character. I suppose there is s certain charm having such a heroine, who falls for the dark and broody gentleman. However, I think that lately I feel more in tune with FMCs, who are slightly more mature, aware of what they want or at least what they definitely do not want. Despite my feelings towards the FMC, the story is well written, the pacing is good and of course, the MMC was absolutely captivating.
April 15, 2024
3.5 stars
This is the book for anyone who has been looking for an ode to sleeping beauty kink. 😏
The FMC has a sleep disorder that makes her act out her dreams (there are several somnophilia scenes), and the MMC is the much feared mafia enforcer so there’s a mafia turf war side plot to string it all together. Oh, and he’s also been stalking her for months, but it’s ok because the other men in her life are much worse. 😅
The OTT-ness of this book was entertaining (I’m not reading this for *any* semblance of realism), but points were deducted for the FMC being TSTL.
This is the book for anyone who has been looking for an ode to sleeping beauty kink. 😏
The FMC has a sleep disorder that makes her act out her dreams (there are several somnophilia scenes), and the MMC is the much feared mafia enforcer so there’s a mafia turf war side plot to string it all together. Oh, and he’s also been stalking her for months, but it’s ok because the other men in her life are much worse. 😅
The OTT-ness of this book was entertaining (I’m not reading this for *any* semblance of realism), but points were deducted for the FMC being TSTL.
May 6, 2024
✨Rating is solely based on enjoyment ✨
Tbh you won’t miss out if you don’t read this book, this is your everyday mafia romance. I wouldn’t say it was dark bec it wasn’t?
I’m currently stuck in a phase where I can’t seem to complete a book without starting a new one in between and it goes on and on and I never seem to complete one. But hey, I read this one pretty quickly so that is saying something! 🫣
3/5 🌶 (almost had smexy scenes every other chapter, and they didn’t seem repetitive or boring to me)
I really liked the characters I guess which is why I enjoyed it a lot, the characters weren’t annoying, they were decent and pretty good actually. So yeah even though the storyline wasn’t amazing, I still liked and enjoyed the book. :)))
Tbh you won’t miss out if you don’t read this book, this is your everyday mafia romance. I wouldn’t say it was dark bec it wasn’t?
I’m currently stuck in a phase where I can’t seem to complete a book without starting a new one in between and it goes on and on and I never seem to complete one. But hey, I read this one pretty quickly so that is saying something! 🫣
3/5 🌶 (almost had smexy scenes every other chapter, and they didn’t seem repetitive or boring to me)
I really liked the characters I guess which is why I enjoyed it a lot, the characters weren’t annoying, they were decent and pretty good actually. So yeah even though the storyline wasn’t amazing, I still liked and enjoyed the book. :)))
Read
March 31, 2024DNF
Pity, I was looking forward to this one. But, as I have read a few other books from this author, I’ve learned her books can be hit or miss. Unfortunately, I had trouble connecting with the h. She is so naive (it’s not a bad thing but in the world she’s part of, you need to be more aware). Anyway, I think I’ll put this one away and move on to other choices 🫤
Pity, I was looking forward to this one. But, as I have read a few other books from this author, I’ve learned her books can be hit or miss. Unfortunately, I had trouble connecting with the h. She is so naive (it’s not a bad thing but in the world she’s part of, you need to be more aware). Anyway, I think I’ll put this one away and move on to other choices 🫤
March 22, 2024
Rated 4.5 Stars
While You Sleep is the darkest book I've read by this author and it was superbly executed.
The hero is a walking red flag. He was all shades of red but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved that the heroine was his opposite in many ways but they fit imperfectly together. I loved them.
I also loved that there was a lot more to it than it's dark themes. There was an abundance of steam, lighter moments and even some sweet ones.
I truly loved going on this journey with these characters, watching them change and navigate everything that was thrown at them.
I loved the world and the politics of it and can't wait to experience more. There are some amazing secondary characters that I'd love to see have their stories told.
All in all this was a great book, one that I very highly recommend.
Copy provided by author
While You Sleep is the darkest book I've read by this author and it was superbly executed.
The hero is a walking red flag. He was all shades of red but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved that the heroine was his opposite in many ways but they fit imperfectly together. I loved them.
I also loved that there was a lot more to it than it's dark themes. There was an abundance of steam, lighter moments and even some sweet ones.
I truly loved going on this journey with these characters, watching them change and navigate everything that was thrown at them.
I loved the world and the politics of it and can't wait to experience more. There are some amazing secondary characters that I'd love to see have their stories told.
All in all this was a great book, one that I very highly recommend.
Copy provided by author
March 31, 2024
Really enjoyed seeing Cillian work with his emotions and try to figure these new feelings he felt for Sophia as emotion is something he struggles with . Especially considering his childhood trauma and the fact that he may be a psychopath/sociopath(really appreciated that the representation wasn’t so tyhard and cliche)
April 6, 2024
4 stars
Tropes : mafia romance, grumpy x sunshine, possessive H
Ending : HEA (a cute scene with their baby)
Triggers : dubcon, forced proximity, attempted SA, violence, death, gore
Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Angst : 🔥🔥🔥/5
OM/OW drama : OM (a guy h went out with)
Celibate while separated: idk about the H
Intimacy details: virgin h, oral, rough sex, somnophilia
Standalone/Series : part of a series but can be read as a standalone
Hero : Cillian O’Roarke
Heroine: Sophia Brennan
Tropes : mafia romance, grumpy x sunshine, possessive H
Ending : HEA (a cute scene with their baby)
Triggers : dubcon, forced proximity, attempted SA, violence, death, gore
Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Angst : 🔥🔥🔥/5
OM/OW drama : OM (a guy h went out with)
Celibate while separated: idk about the H
Intimacy details: virgin h, oral, rough sex, somnophilia
Standalone/Series : part of a series but can be read as a standalone
Hero : Cillian O’Roarke
Heroine: Sophia Brennan
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2024
Cillian and Sophia were nice to read about. I feel like they're relationship was mainly just lust though. The small moments they had between them were cute and I wish they had more. Them getting together happened way too abruptly at the end. I was hoping it would've been dragged out a bit more.
November 18, 2024
3.5/5
I was surprised by how much I liked this book, tbh. I was in the mood for something purely smutty that checked some of my safety requirements (no cheating, no rape). Look, this is a dark romance but it’s really not that bad. I’d say it’s on the lighter side of dark. I mean, I’ve read books that were way darker and they didn’t even have the ‘dark’ tag. For example, the ACOTAR series: Rhys was essentially a sex slave, Az and Mors were tortured and abused horrifically as children/young adult. Nesta became an alcoholic ho, Feyre was drugged, Gwen was raped, and Emerie literally had her wings clipped.
I appreciate that Sherilee Gray put ‘toxic relationship’ in the content warnings. This tells me that she’s very aware this is unhealthy and wouldn’t be sustainable in real life. The relationship starts out 100% toxic. This man stalks her, folks. And I’ve read books where the relationship was wayyyy more toxic than this and it wasn’t even a dark romance.
All things considered, it was good! I didn’t like the last 10%, honestly and that’s why 1/2 a star dropped.
I’m hoping this turns into a series because I’m very, very intrigued with Declan and Gaia 👀
I was surprised by how much I liked this book, tbh. I was in the mood for something purely smutty that checked some of my safety requirements (no cheating, no rape). Look, this is a dark romance but it’s really not that bad. I’d say it’s on the lighter side of dark. I mean, I’ve read books that were way darker and they didn’t even have the ‘dark’ tag. For example, the ACOTAR series: Rhys was essentially a sex slave, Az and Mors were tortured and abused horrifically as children/young adult. Nesta became an alcoholic ho, Feyre was drugged, Gwen was raped, and Emerie literally had her wings clipped.
I appreciate that Sherilee Gray put ‘toxic relationship’ in the content warnings. This tells me that she’s very aware this is unhealthy and wouldn’t be sustainable in real life. The relationship starts out 100% toxic. This man stalks her, folks. And I’ve read books where the relationship was wayyyy more toxic than this and it wasn’t even a dark romance.
All things considered, it was good! I didn’t like the last 10%, honestly and that’s why 1/2 a star dropped.
I’m hoping this turns into a series because I’m very, very intrigued with Declan and Gaia 👀
February 6, 2025
A solid 3.5 stars. I might have liked it more if hadn't just finished another book by this same author. The male lead character was nearly exactly the same in the sex scenes and the dirty talk. I don't know if the author makes all her male characters the same or if I just happened to find the two that do, but it was repetitive for me and I actually found myself skimming through a lot of the sex scenes. I was hoping there'd be something different for Cillian because his backstory was so interesting, but it was barely used. I think it was a missed opportunity for a really special character.
March 21, 2024
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