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You Could Do Damage #1
You Could Do Damage
A dangerous dance of passion and power unfolds when two wounded souls collide in this sizzling unconventional romance by national bestselling author K.C. Mills.
Nari Collette finds herself on the brink of homelessness after a crushing betrayal. Desperate for stability, she reluctantly agrees to an unconventional proposal from the attractive and enigmatic Kincaid Akel.
Determined to reclaim his seat as heir of a dangerous criminal enterprise, Kincaid needs a wife to solidify his position, but he never expected his carefully selected bride to ignite such fierce desire. As Nari awakens feelings he long thought dead, Kincaid struggles to maintain control.
Their entangled marriage of convenience quickly becomes a battleground of wills as Nari fights to protect her heart, even as she's irresistibly drawn to her dangerous new husband.
As enemies close in from all sides, and with both their hearts and lives on the line, Nari and Kincaid must decide if they can trust each other with their deepest secrets . . . or if the very passion that binds them will ultimately be their downfall.
Nari Collette finds herself on the brink of homelessness after a crushing betrayal. Desperate for stability, she reluctantly agrees to an unconventional proposal from the attractive and enigmatic Kincaid Akel.
Determined to reclaim his seat as heir of a dangerous criminal enterprise, Kincaid needs a wife to solidify his position, but he never expected his carefully selected bride to ignite such fierce desire. As Nari awakens feelings he long thought dead, Kincaid struggles to maintain control.
Their entangled marriage of convenience quickly becomes a battleground of wills as Nari fights to protect her heart, even as she's irresistibly drawn to her dangerous new husband.
As enemies close in from all sides, and with both their hearts and lives on the line, Nari and Kincaid must decide if they can trust each other with their deepest secrets . . . or if the very passion that binds them will ultimately be their downfall.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 25, 2025
About the author
K.C. Mills
201 books1,850 followersK.C. Mills is a USA Today bestselling author of over 100 traditionally and independently published novels, including Innocent Intent, Christmas in Spite of You, and You Could Do Damage. Since publishing her first novel in 2015 Mills has solidified her literary career by writing beautifully flawed characters and realistic, edgy stories displaying love in all shades of brown. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia and can be found online at theauthorkcmills.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 424 reviews
May 26, 2026
3.5 stars
This was an entertaining read. I did like the characters but there wasn't much depth to them which i think can be attributed to the story moving at a warp speed.
Overall, it was an enjoyable drama filled read.
This was an entertaining read. I did like the characters but there wasn't much depth to them which i think can be attributed to the story moving at a warp speed.
Overall, it was an enjoyable drama filled read.
June 22, 2021
3.5 Stars
You Could Do Damage was an entertaining read but, it started off really slow. So slow, I almost gave up on this book several times. The storyline was well crafted but, the grammatical errors were annoying and frustrating because, I had to constantly stop reading to figure out what the author was trying to say. This book was riddled with typos, incorrect word usage, and grammatical errors to the point of distraction. I really wish authors would realize that grammatical errors really takes away from the book because, we become more focused on your bad grammar than the actual storyline. But, I digress. I enjoyed the story of Nari and Kincaid. I loved the dynamic between them and I enjoyed watching their feelings for one another grow and blossom as they got to know each other. It made the progression of their relationship seem more authentic and believable. Nari is a young and naïve 24 year old who works at an exclusive gentlemen's club. She catches the eye of the mysterious Kincaid Akel. Kincaid is engaged to be married through an arrangement by The Family but, when he finds out his fiancée's dad has been doin' some dirty ish, he does a double cross and marries Nari. Not all in the underworld are happy about this but, since Kincaid is the golden boy heir apparent, there’s not much they can do about it. The majority of this book is about Kincaid rising in rank and ruling the underworld with an iron fist while trying to keep his young wife happy and safe. What I did like about Kincaid is, he never lied to Nari. From the moment they met and agreed to get married, he was honest and upfront about who he was and the type of business he ran. So, Nari knew exactly what she was getting into. She's also very aware of his position and knows his enemies are coming for his throat so, why oh why, did she not question the validity of that recording?!!!! I get that Nari's a little green but, come on! Kincaid had been nothing but honest with her from the very beginning so, why would he lie about that?!!! She really pissed me off with how she chose to handle that situation. And, I'm givin' Nari's mama and daddy the side eye. I’m on the fence about her mama but, I definitely don’t trust her daddy. He’s up to something. I can feel it in my spirit. You Could Do Damage was good read but, I would definitely classify it as a slow burn. With the way that it ended, I hope part two moves a little faster.
You Could Do Damage was an entertaining read but, it started off really slow. So slow, I almost gave up on this book several times. The storyline was well crafted but, the grammatical errors were annoying and frustrating because, I had to constantly stop reading to figure out what the author was trying to say. This book was riddled with typos, incorrect word usage, and grammatical errors to the point of distraction. I really wish authors would realize that grammatical errors really takes away from the book because, we become more focused on your bad grammar than the actual storyline. But, I digress. I enjoyed the story of Nari and Kincaid. I loved the dynamic between them and I enjoyed watching their feelings for one another grow and blossom as they got to know each other. It made the progression of their relationship seem more authentic and believable. Nari is a young and naïve 24 year old who works at an exclusive gentlemen's club. She catches the eye of the mysterious Kincaid Akel. Kincaid is engaged to be married through an arrangement by The Family but, when he finds out his fiancée's dad has been doin' some dirty ish, he does a double cross and marries Nari. Not all in the underworld are happy about this but, since Kincaid is the golden boy heir apparent, there’s not much they can do about it. The majority of this book is about Kincaid rising in rank and ruling the underworld with an iron fist while trying to keep his young wife happy and safe. What I did like about Kincaid is, he never lied to Nari. From the moment they met and agreed to get married, he was honest and upfront about who he was and the type of business he ran. So, Nari knew exactly what she was getting into. She's also very aware of his position and knows his enemies are coming for his throat so, why oh why, did she not question the validity of that recording?!!!! I get that Nari's a little green but, come on! Kincaid had been nothing but honest with her from the very beginning so, why would he lie about that?!!! She really pissed me off with how she chose to handle that situation. And, I'm givin' Nari's mama and daddy the side eye. I’m on the fence about her mama but, I definitely don’t trust her daddy. He’s up to something. I can feel it in my spirit. You Could Do Damage was good read but, I would definitely classify it as a slow burn. With the way that it ended, I hope part two moves a little faster.
April 4, 2025
Listened via Audible… liked story but didn’t care for narrators.
September 5, 2023
enjoyable
I love a jealous and territorial husband, Kincaid delivers. Nari is finding her way as well and I’m sensing once she recognizes her power things will fall right in place .. there was some mention of grammatical errors but my eye must have skimmed passed that
I love a jealous and territorial husband, Kincaid delivers. Nari is finding her way as well and I’m sensing once she recognizes her power things will fall right in place .. there was some mention of grammatical errors but my eye must have skimmed passed that
November 2, 2024
First of all, thank you to NetGalley, KC Mills and the publishers for providing me with an ARC of this book.
Secondly, sometimes there also are ARCs you end up not liking – this unfortunately was the case for me. As I promised an honest review in exchange for receiving a copy of this book, I’ll leave my thoughts below and I will not soften them, just because it was an ARC.
This book looks promising at first, with a Forced Proximity/Arranged Marriage scenario between the two main characters set in a loosely hinted at Mafia/Made Men setting. While we meet both characters very early on, it takes quite a few chapters to pick up the pace. When it does, it moves too fast for my taste.
The characters themselves unfortunately lack depth. After reading a whole book about them, I can’t tell you anything more personal about either than their drink preferences and their issues, which tend to be a tad bit repetitive. Their only role seems to be the one of husband and wife, briefly interrupted only by interludes of “imposing Mafia Boss” and “Poor, poor (in both senses) Wife”.
What I usually enjoy in these types of books, was nowhere to be found. The effortless way of commanding a room, the subtle self-assured way of holding himself and the easy-going, decidedly unforced masculinity these Mafia-type men usually are described with fell flat for me in this one. Kincaid is not effortlessly masculine in any cute way, but incredibly insecure, toxic and controlling. That’s not a cute look.
Speaking of cute – that seems to be the only personality trait the female main character possesses she’s hot, she’s cute and kind of awkward, at least according to silver-spoon-Romeo. This even is a claim the narrator makes in a chapter of Nari’s POV, because it’s said: “The issue with that seemed to be I never truly had an identity before he shook up my world.” Wow! This sadly didn’t change throughout the entirety of the book.
Kincaid, the male love interest, also seems like he mostly speaks in “half truths” as he claims, while to an attentive reader these usually are closer to “full lies”.
Also, sprinkle on a bit of homophobic commentary here and there alongside the toxic masculinity and you do end up giving the MCs some sort of … character. And by character I mean a very bitter aftertaste.
The plotline did not feel consistent, as there are multiple opponents introduced and by the time one of the main twists happens, we never get to know who was behind it, before another adversary is introduced. The main thing happening here is one on one scenes with the main characters, possessive, jealous behaviour of the male main character after an outing with his wife (multiple), and ominous “business meetings” the male lead has to go to. Repeat.
For the entirety of the book, I felt like I was scratching on surfaces while my resolve to find out more about these characters was whittled down by every chapter.
The final straw for this rating were the innumerable grammatical errors and spelling mistakes this book surprises you with.
I’m really sorry, but this is my honest opinion and that’s what I have promised to give: I can’t really recommend reading this book.
Secondly, sometimes there also are ARCs you end up not liking – this unfortunately was the case for me. As I promised an honest review in exchange for receiving a copy of this book, I’ll leave my thoughts below and I will not soften them, just because it was an ARC.
This book looks promising at first, with a Forced Proximity/Arranged Marriage scenario between the two main characters set in a loosely hinted at Mafia/Made Men setting. While we meet both characters very early on, it takes quite a few chapters to pick up the pace. When it does, it moves too fast for my taste.
The characters themselves unfortunately lack depth. After reading a whole book about them, I can’t tell you anything more personal about either than their drink preferences and their issues, which tend to be a tad bit repetitive. Their only role seems to be the one of husband and wife, briefly interrupted only by interludes of “imposing Mafia Boss” and “Poor, poor (in both senses) Wife”.
What I usually enjoy in these types of books, was nowhere to be found. The effortless way of commanding a room, the subtle self-assured way of holding himself and the easy-going, decidedly unforced masculinity these Mafia-type men usually are described with fell flat for me in this one. Kincaid is not effortlessly masculine in any cute way, but incredibly insecure, toxic and controlling. That’s not a cute look.
Speaking of cute – that seems to be the only personality trait the female main character possesses she’s hot, she’s cute and kind of awkward, at least according to silver-spoon-Romeo. This even is a claim the narrator makes in a chapter of Nari’s POV, because it’s said: “The issue with that seemed to be I never truly had an identity before he shook up my world.” Wow! This sadly didn’t change throughout the entirety of the book.
Kincaid, the male love interest, also seems like he mostly speaks in “half truths” as he claims, while to an attentive reader these usually are closer to “full lies”.
Also, sprinkle on a bit of homophobic commentary here and there alongside the toxic masculinity and you do end up giving the MCs some sort of … character. And by character I mean a very bitter aftertaste.
The plotline did not feel consistent, as there are multiple opponents introduced and by the time one of the main twists happens, we never get to know who was behind it, before another adversary is introduced. The main thing happening here is one on one scenes with the main characters, possessive, jealous behaviour of the male main character after an outing with his wife (multiple), and ominous “business meetings” the male lead has to go to. Repeat.
For the entirety of the book, I felt like I was scratching on surfaces while my resolve to find out more about these characters was whittled down by every chapter.
The final straw for this rating were the innumerable grammatical errors and spelling mistakes this book surprises you with.
I’m really sorry, but this is my honest opinion and that’s what I have promised to give: I can’t really recommend reading this book.
August 25, 2025
3.5⭐️ This book spins a tale around Kincaid, Nari, and an unconventional business proposal — marriage! I was totally hooked at first, but then the narrators kind of distracted me; their voices just didn't do it for me. I was totally on the fence about Nari and Kincaid's relationship; one minute I was all for them being a couple, and the next, I was like, “Maybe not!” The story was a fun ride, but I found it a bit tricky to really connect and stay engaged.
November 12, 2024
Well well well. Kincaid is that guy! He had his eye on what he wanted and NOTHING was going to stop him from getting what was his. And I’m not mad at it at all!!
Kincaid & Nari have an “arranged ” marriage if you want to call it that (Caid did the arranging lol). But once feelings get involved it starts to get tricky. What didn’t work for me was the miscommunication trope. So many issues could be resolved if Nari just spoke the hell up! The last 2 chapters really irked my nerves because neither one of them communicated effectively and now look at the situation they in! Damn fools.
And let’s talk about the ending! The ending!!! Come on, when will we get part 2 because I need answers yesterday!
Overall I loved this book! I will definitely be recommending to my book friends. But stop playing with me, give us part 2!
Thank you Black Odyssey Media for this Advance Readers Copy ebook in exchange for my honest review.
Kincaid & Nari have an “arranged ” marriage if you want to call it that (Caid did the arranging lol). But once feelings get involved it starts to get tricky. What didn’t work for me was the miscommunication trope. So many issues could be resolved if Nari just spoke the hell up! The last 2 chapters really irked my nerves because neither one of them communicated effectively and now look at the situation they in! Damn fools.
And let’s talk about the ending! The ending!!! Come on, when will we get part 2 because I need answers yesterday!
Overall I loved this book! I will definitely be recommending to my book friends. But stop playing with me, give us part 2!
Thank you Black Odyssey Media for this Advance Readers Copy ebook in exchange for my honest review.
November 19, 2025
If you enjoy marriage of convenience, add this to your tbr now. Babbbyyyyy Kincaid was a man of there ever was one. He was kind, honest and absolutely unhinged. Nari was funny and sweet but definitely someone who has experiences a lot of hardship it showed in everything she did and the ways she reacted to people. I enjoyed Kincaid constantly making her ear her words lol and shocking her with his honesty and desire for her. The kicker though is that this was not just some sweet romance, cause behind every fine unhinged man is a woman who refuses to let him go lol. Val, although somewhat justified in her crazy lol she was dead wrong for how she went about getting her revenge. I don’t want to spoil it just know it was soooo good and messy.
Overall this was absolutely amazing. And I can’t wait for book 2 to figure out what’s next.
Overall this was absolutely amazing. And I can’t wait for book 2 to figure out what’s next.
February 27, 2025
This one was difficult to get through idk why maybe it was the lack of descriptions for our main characters but I struggled to get into this forreal. Like really described ole boy as everybody type lmao IS HE BLACK? What color are his eyes? We know he has a nice smile but what made it nice? He has nice lashes like I’m sorry my brain not creating an image off this. This book doesn’t even feel like K.C Mills wrote this like at all. I’m a big big fan but this one just was dull and flat.Normally I’m all for the big bad boss gets sweet girl but this one just annoyed me. Our FMC was dead broke destitute and naive. She annoyed me to no end and the whole beef with her man over Val just proved to me she was a dummy. Like you really sitting here thinking the man is just cheating on you at every turn don’t say a word but act weird/ shut him out???? Wasn’t you just crying about that behavior 4 chapters ago??? Then the daddy plot holds no ground cus you was poor struggling and alone with no father in sight but he comes out and has all this knowledge of you and you just there like a dummy??? Kincaid wasn’t swoon worthy like why are you picking a random innocent woman and not preparing her for the hood stuff you into? Like please man
April 12, 2021
Really enjoyed it! This is a definite slow burn but I really liked getting to know the characters. Nari is cool and guarded but I think her being a little green is going to mess things up for her and Kincaid. Can’t wait to read part 2.
March 24, 2025
MY GOODNESS
The way y'all be dangling me off these cliffs are horrible. Superb read!!! If you are wondering if you should read this book....yes, just read the damn book.
The way y'all be dangling me off these cliffs are horrible. Superb read!!! If you are wondering if you should read this book....yes, just read the damn book.
November 9, 2025
3.5 stars | Why would this book end like that?
June 16, 2025
A crime lord falls in love at first sight?! I was SAT the entire time. But that ending - OOP!
January 30, 2025
2.5⭐️ and 2.5🌶️
My one and only question: Where is Part 2? My feelings are hurt lol.
Nari had it rough her entire life by barely getting by, growing up in the system, and being abandoned by her family and her trifling cousin didn't make her adult life any better. Telling someone as soon as they walk into their apartment, "We have to be out by 5 pm today," is crazy. 😮 I wanted some payback for Shayla because she was the absolute worst. Whatever happened to her??
Nari is homeless and Kincaid Akel set his eyes on her but he's already engaged. Wow! Messy. Kincaid is your billionaire mafia boss, "touch her and die," "My wife," kind of man. If you love that energy, you'll absolutely love him and his energy. I enjoyed him but my girl Nari felt like she wasn't worthy of the new life she has been thrown into.
These two stayed in their heads and I needed them to COMMUNICATE. 🗣️🗣️ I can almost understand it from Nari, her life experiences and young age of 24 played a part in the way she thought about herself, her life, and her worthiness at times. Kincaid was 31 and had much more life experiences because he was born into The Families and was set to become the head of operations from birth. That silver spoon? He's used to it. His is gold. And he gives it all to Nari.
I can come to my own conclusion about the voicemail at the end, but to end on a cliffhanger with no part two was such a gut punch for me. I found myself searching for part 2 and falling short. I really hope this series continues because there are new family members we have been introduced to that we know nothing about and a relationship on the line because of a lie.
✨He Falls First & Hard
✨Arranged Marriage
✨Cliffhanger 🫠
My one and only question: Where is Part 2? My feelings are hurt lol.
Nari had it rough her entire life by barely getting by, growing up in the system, and being abandoned by her family and her trifling cousin didn't make her adult life any better. Telling someone as soon as they walk into their apartment, "We have to be out by 5 pm today," is crazy. 😮 I wanted some payback for Shayla because she was the absolute worst. Whatever happened to her??
Nari is homeless and Kincaid Akel set his eyes on her but he's already engaged. Wow! Messy. Kincaid is your billionaire mafia boss, "touch her and die," "My wife," kind of man. If you love that energy, you'll absolutely love him and his energy. I enjoyed him but my girl Nari felt like she wasn't worthy of the new life she has been thrown into.
These two stayed in their heads and I needed them to COMMUNICATE. 🗣️🗣️ I can almost understand it from Nari, her life experiences and young age of 24 played a part in the way she thought about herself, her life, and her worthiness at times. Kincaid was 31 and had much more life experiences because he was born into The Families and was set to become the head of operations from birth. That silver spoon? He's used to it. His is gold. And he gives it all to Nari.
I can come to my own conclusion about the voicemail at the end, but to end on a cliffhanger with no part two was such a gut punch for me. I found myself searching for part 2 and falling short. I really hope this series continues because there are new family members we have been introduced to that we know nothing about and a relationship on the line because of a lie.
✨He Falls First & Hard
✨Arranged Marriage
✨Cliffhanger 🫠
August 12, 2025
rating: 4.5
Very toxic, I loved it lol. Now I gotta read book 2 because who is the daddy? The recording has me confused. Nari has no clue what she's gotten pulled into. I gotta jump into book 2 because what is going on.
Very toxic, I loved it lol. Now I gotta read book 2 because who is the daddy? The recording has me confused. Nari has no clue what she's gotten pulled into. I gotta jump into book 2 because what is going on.
March 2, 2025
Yes, I knew the pending.....
I'm not sure what I believe in this story. Who is playing whom. I knew about the cliffhanger. Oh well.
I'm not sure what I believe in this story. Who is playing whom. I knew about the cliffhanger. Oh well.
February 18, 2026
Dragged through endless nonsense just to get a last-minute spark and a ‘to be continued — emotional terrorism at its finest.
February 1, 2025
3 ⭐ is not a bad rating
This is a marriage of convenience read with FMC Nari and MMC Kincaid with some sprinkle of mafia kinds of stuff (both of which I love in books if It's done right)
The best part of this book is MMC is not manipulative. Normally in this kind of book, MMCs are manipulative or tell lies but Kincaid is not this kind of guy.
This starts a little slow, and in between, it feels a bit draggy in some parts. I wasn't expecting it to be Insta-lovey, so I was disappointed in that part. And it was really frustrating to watch them not communicate.
But overall it was an okay read.
Thank you so much, K.C. Mills, the publishers and Netgalley for providing this ARC
This is a marriage of convenience read with FMC Nari and MMC Kincaid with some sprinkle of mafia kinds of stuff (both of which I love in books if It's done right)
The best part of this book is MMC is not manipulative. Normally in this kind of book, MMCs are manipulative or tell lies but Kincaid is not this kind of guy.
This starts a little slow, and in between, it feels a bit draggy in some parts. I wasn't expecting it to be Insta-lovey, so I was disappointed in that part. And it was really frustrating to watch them not communicate.
But overall it was an okay read.
Thank you so much, K.C. Mills, the publishers and Netgalley for providing this ARC
January 11, 2026
I read this books for my bookclub traveling book of the month. I really liked Kincaid and Nari as a couple especially with the arrange marriage trope in the book. This has been one of my favorite K.C Mills books. I like Kincaid family especially the way his mom embrace Nari after finding out about the wedding. I was happy when Kincaid fun Nari birth mom. Kincaid was not playing about Nari especially once they got married. Overall really good book.
November 18, 2025
I didn’t think I was a marriage of convenience girly but here I am, enjoying it now. The MMC narrator wasn’t my favorite but I could push through that because I truly enjoyed the book. To end on a cliff hanger feels personal, luckily part two is out so I’m able to hop right on in.
March 27, 2025
Finally done. That dragged and dragged and dragged. Then it had the audacity of saying “To Be Continued…”
lol.
This book started off well. More than anything I liked the plot. I was actually excited. Once again I got fooled by TikTok. The more I read, the more I regretted.
Now I’ve read worse books. But this one had things that ticked me off bad. The writing wasn’t too bad but it was the conversations. Firstly the fmc is an idiot. She keeps repeating the same things. How many times does Kincaid have to remind her the marriage is real etc.
Btw “Kincaid”? Are you serious. So there was no other name? This is the worst name I’ve ever had to tolerate in a book.
Speaking of marriage, the author ruined this entire thing. Their story is nonexistent and they fell in love in thin air. She jumped the gun and now we have two characters with zero personality and story.
Kincaid is also a terrible character. Just making decisions with no thought behind them. I’d like to point out how every single “problem” they were facing just disappeared. The man he betrayed just got killed. The group of drug dealers on his block didn’t get dealt with, the girl he was originally suppose to marry just wasn’t mentioned at all for the rest of the book, he killed people with no consequence, has beef with people in the council who feel he doesn’t deserve to be part of the Family and yet they did nothing about him. Nothing. All of this amounted to nothing and now at the end of the book, the authors creates another beef with Naris deadbeat father who didn’t exist until the last two pages of the book.
This book is horrible. I really thought at least we would get an idea of who killed kincaids father and them. Nothing. I thought there would be consequences to all these beefs Kincaid had. Nothing. That other brother who had a crush on Nari was ambushed by Kincaid and friends I thought that would be a plot. Nothing. I at the very least thought the climax of this story would be one of these beefs kidnapping of attempting to kill Nari or Kincaid as retaliation but still NOTHING.
NOTHING HAPPENED. The author made plots and sub stories and left them mind story and moved on to something else.
1 ⭐️
lol.
This book started off well. More than anything I liked the plot. I was actually excited. Once again I got fooled by TikTok. The more I read, the more I regretted.
Now I’ve read worse books. But this one had things that ticked me off bad. The writing wasn’t too bad but it was the conversations. Firstly the fmc is an idiot. She keeps repeating the same things. How many times does Kincaid have to remind her the marriage is real etc.
Btw “Kincaid”? Are you serious. So there was no other name? This is the worst name I’ve ever had to tolerate in a book.
Speaking of marriage, the author ruined this entire thing. Their story is nonexistent and they fell in love in thin air. She jumped the gun and now we have two characters with zero personality and story.
Kincaid is also a terrible character. Just making decisions with no thought behind them. I’d like to point out how every single “problem” they were facing just disappeared. The man he betrayed just got killed. The group of drug dealers on his block didn’t get dealt with, the girl he was originally suppose to marry just wasn’t mentioned at all for the rest of the book, he killed people with no consequence, has beef with people in the council who feel he doesn’t deserve to be part of the Family and yet they did nothing about him. Nothing. All of this amounted to nothing and now at the end of the book, the authors creates another beef with Naris deadbeat father who didn’t exist until the last two pages of the book.
This book is horrible. I really thought at least we would get an idea of who killed kincaids father and them. Nothing. I thought there would be consequences to all these beefs Kincaid had. Nothing. That other brother who had a crush on Nari was ambushed by Kincaid and friends I thought that would be a plot. Nothing. I at the very least thought the climax of this story would be one of these beefs kidnapping of attempting to kill Nari or Kincaid as retaliation but still NOTHING.
NOTHING HAPPENED. The author made plots and sub stories and left them mind story and moved on to something else.
1 ⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2024
I rarely classify a book as outright bad, but unfortunately, this one left me no choice. The reading experience was unpleasant, to say the least. The writing was riddled with odd grammatical errors, and despite being written in dual first-person POV, it frequently used italicized words or “thoughts” as if offering insight into the characters’ minds—when the entire chapter was already their inner monologue. This made the stylistic choices feel inconsistent and unnecessary.
Additionally, the overuse of ellipses (for dramatic effect?) and an excessive number of exclamation marks at the end of sentences that didn’t warrant such emphasis made the prose feel amateurish. The whole book came across like something written by a high schooler with a large vocabulary but little experience in crafting mature or nuanced storytelling.
The characters were shallow, with no real depth or growth. The FMC and MC seemed to fall instantly into “lust,” masquerading as “love,” without any meaningful connection or development. The MC embodied the stereotypical toxic, alpha “caveman,” whose sole reason for loving the FMC boiled down to sexual attraction. Meanwhile, the FMC was disappointingly one-dimensional and never evolved as a character.
The pacing was another issue, as the story felt like it was constantly on fast-forward, rushing through key moments without giving the reader a chance to connect with the characters or the plot. What little intrigue I felt was squandered by an ending that came across as nothing more than clickbait.
Ultimately, this book felt like a wasted afternoon. While I was curious enough to finish it, I was left disappointed and frustrated by its lack of substance, depth, and cohesion.
Additionally, the overuse of ellipses (for dramatic effect?) and an excessive number of exclamation marks at the end of sentences that didn’t warrant such emphasis made the prose feel amateurish. The whole book came across like something written by a high schooler with a large vocabulary but little experience in crafting mature or nuanced storytelling.
The characters were shallow, with no real depth or growth. The FMC and MC seemed to fall instantly into “lust,” masquerading as “love,” without any meaningful connection or development. The MC embodied the stereotypical toxic, alpha “caveman,” whose sole reason for loving the FMC boiled down to sexual attraction. Meanwhile, the FMC was disappointingly one-dimensional and never evolved as a character.
The pacing was another issue, as the story felt like it was constantly on fast-forward, rushing through key moments without giving the reader a chance to connect with the characters or the plot. What little intrigue I felt was squandered by an ending that came across as nothing more than clickbait.
Ultimately, this book felt like a wasted afternoon. While I was curious enough to finish it, I was left disappointed and frustrated by its lack of substance, depth, and cohesion.
February 20, 2021
In a word I’d say this was an underwhelming read. If you factor in the atrocious editing or non editing and I have to say it was underwhelming & frustrating. So we have Kincaid s our lead who is a big bad boss and author Mills does a fine job convincing the reader of that. Then we have Nari who for reasons unknown he’s instantly in love w/cause there’s just something about her. Unfortunately we’re never informed of what exactly it is. Nari is just one big bag of contradiction & confusion. She meets Kincaid one night & instantly she trusts him so much so that she ups & marries him after having like 3 conversations w/the man. She’s introduced like she’s this tough chick who’s been through hell but survived but yet she’s more of an insecure teenager who Kincaid is constantly coddling. Granted she’s a foster kid who’s just trying to get by when we meet her but when her situation changes her character seems to regress as opposed to progress. I just didn’t get what the author was trying to relay w/her. She ended up just being annoying.
The book progresses slowly which the author alludes to but I found it frustrating because there are all these conversations & feelings discussed in the characters heads which made it even slower. Like don’t tell me show me. I’m a fan of KC Mills I always read her releases. This one is not a win for me though & the errors were ridiculous like you’d think at this point in her career she’d do a better job with the editing like come on.
The book progresses slowly which the author alludes to but I found it frustrating because there are all these conversations & feelings discussed in the characters heads which made it even slower. Like don’t tell me show me. I’m a fan of KC Mills I always read her releases. This one is not a win for me though & the errors were ridiculous like you’d think at this point in her career she’d do a better job with the editing like come on.
February 24, 2021
Ummmm
I wished the story focused more on the romance. I get that Kincaid is an Alpha and runs international businesses along with being a newly appointed Capo. But, what does that have to do with him and Nari? While I get it all adds to the mystique of Kincaid. There were times I wished the story gave me a little more in relation to their connection. Other than the repetitive mentioning of their energy and eyes. That is certainly where the story fell flat. Other than that, this was just a okay story, but it reminded me too much of a few novels I have read. Down to Kincaid speaking love languages in other languages. Even down to Kincaid claiming Nari as “mine” this was just a OKAY. I hope part two is better
I wished the story focused more on the romance. I get that Kincaid is an Alpha and runs international businesses along with being a newly appointed Capo. But, what does that have to do with him and Nari? While I get it all adds to the mystique of Kincaid. There were times I wished the story gave me a little more in relation to their connection. Other than the repetitive mentioning of their energy and eyes. That is certainly where the story fell flat. Other than that, this was just a okay story, but it reminded me too much of a few novels I have read. Down to Kincaid speaking love languages in other languages. Even down to Kincaid claiming Nari as “mine” this was just a OKAY. I hope part two is better
May 6, 2025
Thank You #BlackOdysseyMedia for this ARC!
I’ve had this #ARC on my “shelf” for a while and I don’t know why I’m just getting into it! But I absolutely LOVED it and couldn’t put it down when I started it! I loved the FMC Nari Collette, she was strong and didn’t care that the MMC Kincaid Akel was a millionaire, she stood her ground with him! Kincaid was intense, possessive, jealous, and had all of the BDE one character could have! He ran the city he worked in, but that wife had him wrapped around her finger, and she wanted nothing from him but love and attention!
Tropes you encounter in this book: Found Family, Arranged Marriage, Millionaire Romance, Underworld
*The book is described as a slow-burn but to me it wasn’t, it captured my attention from the beginning and never dragged like Slow Burns do sometimes! I enjoyed it all and can’t wait for the next book!
I’ve had this #ARC on my “shelf” for a while and I don’t know why I’m just getting into it! But I absolutely LOVED it and couldn’t put it down when I started it! I loved the FMC Nari Collette, she was strong and didn’t care that the MMC Kincaid Akel was a millionaire, she stood her ground with him! Kincaid was intense, possessive, jealous, and had all of the BDE one character could have! He ran the city he worked in, but that wife had him wrapped around her finger, and she wanted nothing from him but love and attention!
Tropes you encounter in this book: Found Family, Arranged Marriage, Millionaire Romance, Underworld
*The book is described as a slow-burn but to me it wasn’t, it captured my attention from the beginning and never dragged like Slow Burns do sometimes! I enjoyed it all and can’t wait for the next book!
August 30, 2025
Nari is just a girl trying to make her way in the world. Every time she thinks she’s getting ahead, life pulls her back down. Growing up without a family, when she meets her “cousin,” she believes she’s finally found the missing piece of her life. But little does she know, that belief is about to be shattered.
Kincaid is a man of power and privilege. When he wants something, he gets it. He’s already committed to a certain arrangement, but everything changes the moment he lays eyes on Nari. Will he stick to his plan, or will Nari be the one to turn his world upside down?
This book had me hooked from the first page. It kicks off with drama and keeps the tension high all the way through. I can’t wait to dive into the second book to find out what happens next!
Kincaid is a man of power and privilege. When he wants something, he gets it. He’s already committed to a certain arrangement, but everything changes the moment he lays eyes on Nari. Will he stick to his plan, or will Nari be the one to turn his world upside down?
This book had me hooked from the first page. It kicks off with drama and keeps the tension high all the way through. I can’t wait to dive into the second book to find out what happens next!
August 27, 2025
4.5⭐️There is a part 2 omg. Okay it’s due in October but it is going to be hard. The ending I need to know who he is asap. Kincaid doesn’t play and he has met his match in Nari. He said you only get one warning.
This book flowed so well. I can’t wait to read more. Nari has so much to deal with and her cousin was just foul. I hope she gets what’s coming to her in the next one. Excellent read. Highly recommend
This book flowed so well. I can’t wait to read more. Nari has so much to deal with and her cousin was just foul. I hope she gets what’s coming to her in the next one. Excellent read. Highly recommend
September 12, 2025
The emotions. The rawness. The connection. The trust. The energy. This book gives it all. Slow burn, maybe. For me it was perfection. The way Kincaid was drawn to Nari and then decided they would be, was everything. I mean that man, held nothing back. His word was bond. Nari wasn’t sure how things would go or end but my girl, said yes and everything changed for the better. For once, someone chose HER. The story will have you trying to figure out where’s this going, who’s doing what, and then the bomb at the ending. WHEW!!!! Hands down 5 stars.
Stamped,
The Urban Fiction Librarian
Stamped,
The Urban Fiction Librarian
January 9, 2025
I actually ate this book up. It’s really rare I rate a romance higher than 3 stars, but here I am. Is it cringe? A little. Is it insta lovey? Perhaps. But I love a billionaire romance. In a lot of ways I relate to Nari so heavily and I think that played a big part in my rating. I wish everything had been resolved but the cliffhanger!! What???
I loved it so much I even preordered the paperback 🤭
This next part will contain spoilers
He told her the last night he was with a woman was the night they got engaged, so why is she acting like it was this huge betrayal?? Did I miss something when I was reading?
I loved it so much I even preordered the paperback 🤭
This next part will contain spoilers
He told her the last night he was with a woman was the night they got engaged, so why is she acting like it was this huge betrayal?? Did I miss something when I was reading?
August 30, 2025
First read by this author. It was an enjoyable story and the ending makes me want more because a new character just popped up and I feel like trouble is on the way!
I had to get adjusted to the narrators, which prolonged my completion of this book.
I’ll be waiting for book 2 and look forward to jumping into the rest of the author’s catalogue!
I had to get adjusted to the narrators, which prolonged my completion of this book.
I’ll be waiting for book 2 and look forward to jumping into the rest of the author’s catalogue!
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