What do you think?
Rate this book
Dark Temptation #1
Vicious Temptation
The last thing either of us want is to fall in love. But that doesn’t mean it won’t happen anyway.
Gabriel Esposito is a part of the same criminal underworld that my father is–and a widower in need of someone to care for his children. My father offers me to him as a wife, but Gabriel doesn’t want to marry anyone.
He wants to give me a job.
Away from my childhood home and on my own for the first time in my life, I have a chance to heal from the horrors that haunt me. But Gabriel is a different kind of complication–the kind of man I never knew existed in my world. A good man.
A man who shouldn’t want me–and who says he can’t give me what I deserve.
He says he’ll only break my heart in the end. But neither of us can resist this vicious temptation.
Gabriel Esposito is a part of the same criminal underworld that my father is–and a widower in need of someone to care for his children. My father offers me to him as a wife, but Gabriel doesn’t want to marry anyone.
He wants to give me a job.
Away from my childhood home and on my own for the first time in my life, I have a chance to heal from the horrors that haunt me. But Gabriel is a different kind of complication–the kind of man I never knew existed in my world. A good man.
A man who shouldn’t want me–and who says he can’t give me what I deserve.
He says he’ll only break my heart in the end. But neither of us can resist this vicious temptation.
415 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 14, 2024
296 people are currently reading
338 people want to read
About the author
M. James
65 books415 followersPrepare to be captivated by the sensational world of M. James, the mastermind behind a genre-defying realm of romance and intrigue. With a pen dipped in passion and a heart that beats to the rhythm of forbidden desires, M. James weaves tantalizing tales that will leave you breathless and yearning for more.
Follow her to the dark side where strong heroines fearlessly navigate treacherous paths and damaged heroes find solace in their darkest corners. Her words will wrap around your senses like a seductive embrace, transporting you to a world where love and danger dance a wicked tango.
M. James resides in the suburbs of Chicago but lives for the big moments that make life interesting. Although writing brings her passion and darkest fantasies alive, watching suspenseful thrillers with her two dogs and loving husband brings her excitement in the most exhilarating way. Nonetheless, getting lost in a dark mafia romance along with a tall glass of wine makes any day a bit juicier.
From enemies to lovers to forbidden romances, M. James' stories of passion, intrigue, and betrayal will keep you hooked until the very end. If your appetite craves the intoxicating prose of Rina Kent or the allure of Sophie Lark, prepare to be entangled in M. James' captivating new series. But be warned, dear reader, for her world is not for the faint of heart. It is a world where inhibitions are shed, and inhibitions are tested. It is a world where passion reigns supreme, and where the pursuit of love can ignite a blaze that consumes all in its path.
FOLLOW ME ON MY SOCIALS
INSTAGRAM
BUNDLES & MORE
EXCLUSIVE FACEBOOK GROUP
TIKTOK
Follow her to the dark side where strong heroines fearlessly navigate treacherous paths and damaged heroes find solace in their darkest corners. Her words will wrap around your senses like a seductive embrace, transporting you to a world where love and danger dance a wicked tango.
M. James resides in the suburbs of Chicago but lives for the big moments that make life interesting. Although writing brings her passion and darkest fantasies alive, watching suspenseful thrillers with her two dogs and loving husband brings her excitement in the most exhilarating way. Nonetheless, getting lost in a dark mafia romance along with a tall glass of wine makes any day a bit juicier.
From enemies to lovers to forbidden romances, M. James' stories of passion, intrigue, and betrayal will keep you hooked until the very end. If your appetite craves the intoxicating prose of Rina Kent or the allure of Sophie Lark, prepare to be entangled in M. James' captivating new series. But be warned, dear reader, for her world is not for the faint of heart. It is a world where inhibitions are shed, and inhibitions are tested. It is a world where passion reigns supreme, and where the pursuit of love can ignite a blaze that consumes all in its path.
FOLLOW ME ON MY SOCIALS
BUNDLES & MORE
EXCLUSIVE FACEBOOK GROUP
TIKTOK
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 27, 2024
Let me say this book is amazing! Tastefully written, suspensful, and grips ones emotions. I'm an avid follower of M. James, and have read a number of Ivy Thorns books... But the two of them together did a fantastic story. I look forward to reading book two .It's absolutely amazing. You will not want to put this this book down .
December 22, 2024
What happens when you are not prepared?
Bella went through a very traumatic experience and her father seems to think its okay to just arrange a new marriage for her as if the last arrangement didn't end with a lot of people dead including the man she was supposed to marry. Gabriel has decided ever since his wife passed away that he will never marry again but his children need a woman in their lives that can give them that motherly affection without him him having to marry again. So Bella becomes their live in nanny, for Bella this means she won't have to go through with an arranged marriage right away and for Gabriel his children will have that motherly figure without his feelings getting involved. Too bad other people want retribution and they plan no getting it any way they can.
Bella went through a very traumatic experience and her father seems to think its okay to just arrange a new marriage for her as if the last arrangement didn't end with a lot of people dead including the man she was supposed to marry. Gabriel has decided ever since his wife passed away that he will never marry again but his children need a woman in their lives that can give them that motherly affection without him him having to marry again. So Bella becomes their live in nanny, for Bella this means she won't have to go through with an arranged marriage right away and for Gabriel his children will have that motherly figure without his feelings getting involved. Too bad other people want retribution and they plan no getting it any way they can.
July 31, 2024
Gabriel Esposito … a young widowed father of two, an absolute gentleman who wants to help Bella escape a second arranged marriage organised by her mafia father. She is broken after a horrendous experience. He offers her a job as nanny to his children & a chance for a life of her own if only for a short time.
I loved this & now I am desperate for the second to be released so I can see what happens to them all.
Such a good read, Gabriel is a dream BBF with a dirty mouth as well 😮💨
I couldn’t put this down.
I loved this & now I am desperate for the second to be released so I can see what happens to them all.
Such a good read, Gabriel is a dream BBF with a dirty mouth as well 😮💨
I couldn’t put this down.
August 7, 2024
Sometimes you need a mafia romance that isn’t like the others and this is definitely it. Bella has suffered a lot of trauma at the hands of her prior fiance. Gabriel is a caring, honor driven man who sees Bella and wants to help her.
Definitely on more of the slow burn side but once their romance got started I was able to get into the story more and I didn’t want the story to end.
Definitely on more of the slow burn side but once their romance got started I was able to get into the story more and I didn’t want the story to end.
August 4, 2024
3.25 total rating - revenge trope/arranged marriage
Pro's A strong mmc who has ethics and a moral code
Decent storyline that is unique in an arranged marriage scenario
Good editing
Great kids and housekeeper
Good writing with some enjoyable moments
Con's A damaged heroine that is weak in nature
Repetitious inner dialogue that is wordy
Very slow moving until the last part of the book
Parts of the story didn't add up
Backstory was lacking for both characters
I never understood Pytor's father seeking revenge at something HE CAUSED. The Italians should have been coming after the Bratva for the bloodbath, not vice a versa. His anger should have been directed at Salvador for stopping the wedding of the Don's daughter to his son with a replacement bride of a very low member of the Mafia
This story is a difficult book to rate. There are things I liked about it but also things that didn't makes sense or didn't add up. Both Bella and Gabriel spend allot of time in their head which produces allot of repetitious dialogue that never goes anywhere. The beginning is very SLOW and doesn't progress until the latter part of the book. Both characters head down a path with their growing feelings for one another that is the beginning of a love story.
IMO arranged marriages have been overly written about and can be repetitious in nature except for the author that adds a different twist in their storyline. That was the reason I read this book because it sounded different. Unfortunately you have a very damaged heroine in Bella who was once a functioning young woman now less than a shell of herself with an over-bearing thug/bottom dweller for a father (low hanging fruit in the Mafia world) who will do anything for position and money including selling his daughter in an arranged marriage. Another "daddy dearest" in a long series of evil men who consider their female daughters nothing but "cash cows".
Bella undergoes terrible abuse at the hands of the Bratva on the day she is to be wed to their heir as a replacement for the Don's daughter who is married to Salvador, her guardian after her father's death. Russians use Bella's wedding day to enact revenge and turn the wedding into a bloodbath killing many people at the wedding which includes the viper, Bella's fiancé. Three months later daddy dearest wants to marry Bella off to yet another arranged marriage even though his daughter suffers from extreme PTSD.
Gabriel, a widower and player in the criminal underworld enters the picture and offers her a job to get Bella away from her father as his nanny for his two children. The rest of book one is about the degree of patience that Gabriel shows Bella and how her past comes to light as they grow closer and closer and how she begins to face her past so she can move forward. Their attraction for one another reaches a boiling point that is filled with sex and lust as the book ends, but also is on the cusp of a love story.
Pro's A strong mmc who has ethics and a moral code
Decent storyline that is unique in an arranged marriage scenario
Good editing
Great kids and housekeeper
Good writing with some enjoyable moments
Con's A damaged heroine that is weak in nature
Repetitious inner dialogue that is wordy
Very slow moving until the last part of the book
Parts of the story didn't add up
Backstory was lacking for both characters
I never understood Pytor's father seeking revenge at something HE CAUSED. The Italians should have been coming after the Bratva for the bloodbath, not vice a versa. His anger should have been directed at Salvador for stopping the wedding of the Don's daughter to his son with a replacement bride of a very low member of the Mafia
This story is a difficult book to rate. There are things I liked about it but also things that didn't makes sense or didn't add up. Both Bella and Gabriel spend allot of time in their head which produces allot of repetitious dialogue that never goes anywhere. The beginning is very SLOW and doesn't progress until the latter part of the book. Both characters head down a path with their growing feelings for one another that is the beginning of a love story.
IMO arranged marriages have been overly written about and can be repetitious in nature except for the author that adds a different twist in their storyline. That was the reason I read this book because it sounded different. Unfortunately you have a very damaged heroine in Bella who was once a functioning young woman now less than a shell of herself with an over-bearing thug/bottom dweller for a father (low hanging fruit in the Mafia world) who will do anything for position and money including selling his daughter in an arranged marriage. Another "daddy dearest" in a long series of evil men who consider their female daughters nothing but "cash cows".
Bella undergoes terrible abuse at the hands of the Bratva on the day she is to be wed to their heir as a replacement for the Don's daughter who is married to Salvador, her guardian after her father's death. Russians use Bella's wedding day to enact revenge and turn the wedding into a bloodbath killing many people at the wedding which includes the viper, Bella's fiancé. Three months later daddy dearest wants to marry Bella off to yet another arranged marriage even though his daughter suffers from extreme PTSD.
Gabriel, a widower and player in the criminal underworld enters the picture and offers her a job to get Bella away from her father as his nanny for his two children. The rest of book one is about the degree of patience that Gabriel shows Bella and how her past comes to light as they grow closer and closer and how she begins to face her past so she can move forward. Their attraction for one another reaches a boiling point that is filled with sex and lust as the book ends, but also is on the cusp of a love story.
July 14, 2024
Wow wonderful read! Bella and Gabriel build a touching and amazing story.
This is about Bella who's ex fiancee abused her so she refuses to marry again. When she is offered a nanny job with a widower Gabriel for his two children.
Steamy but a definite journey for both Bella and Gabriel, especially as she learns to trust him and begins to feel the attraction. Him in learning about her ways and how he fits into that. The children help pathe the way.
The chemistry is dubious initially between these two as Bella is so skittish but so she learns her way. It's Gabriel who is patient.
Very well done. A moving plot and great characters build a story very worth reading.
Highly recommended!!
This is about Bella who's ex fiancee abused her so she refuses to marry again. When she is offered a nanny job with a widower Gabriel for his two children.
Steamy but a definite journey for both Bella and Gabriel, especially as she learns to trust him and begins to feel the attraction. Him in learning about her ways and how he fits into that. The children help pathe the way.
The chemistry is dubious initially between these two as Bella is so skittish but so she learns her way. It's Gabriel who is patient.
Very well done. A moving plot and great characters build a story very worth reading.
Highly recommended!!
August 7, 2024
This story is about Bella and what became of her after her failed almost marriage to Pyotr, who tried to get even with the Don for taking Bella’s cousin from him. Bella was supposed to be the answer to peace between the Bratva and the Mafia. Instead she is put through a massive trauma on her wedding day, suffers tremendous PTSD where she’s basically afraid of her own shadow. Until she meets Gabriel, who thinks it’s a great idea to have her come work for him as a nanny, so she can void another arranged marriage. Through him she learns to feel again! Everything is going great, until Pyotr’s father comes back into the picture. OMG what will Gabriel do? I can’t wait for the final book in this series! Absolute must read!
July 27, 2024
What an incredible story.
This is such a well written story by two amazing authors!
This is a slow burn that I just couldn’t get enough off. Gabriel is so amazing and patient with Bella. It’s absolutely wonderful to see these two heal each other.
This is a world you absolutely want to be a part of.
The ending is heart breaking and I am beyond anxious for the rest of the story.
Amazing amazing read!!!!
This is such a well written story by two amazing authors!
This is a slow burn that I just couldn’t get enough off. Gabriel is so amazing and patient with Bella. It’s absolutely wonderful to see these two heal each other.
This is a world you absolutely want to be a part of.
The ending is heart breaking and I am beyond anxious for the rest of the story.
Amazing amazing read!!!!
August 21, 2024
More than a Mafia Romance
I NEED to start Book 2, so this will be short and sweet.
Bella is amazing. Braver than she realises and simply remarkable. Gabriel is... he just is. The storyline is captivating, the pace is perfect, and the characters are well-written.
Read it. I'm grabbing book 2. I need my happily ever after please.
I NEED to start Book 2, so this will be short and sweet.
Bella is amazing. Braver than she realises and simply remarkable. Gabriel is... he just is. The storyline is captivating, the pace is perfect, and the characters are well-written.
Read it. I'm grabbing book 2. I need my happily ever after please.
August 24, 2024
Not dark at all. The only thing distinguishing this from a billionaire romance is that the author states it; otherwise, the characters could have the exact same background and a stalker would have served the same purpose.
Authors who technically don't write dark romances have darker subject matter.
Authors who technically don't write dark romances have darker subject matter.
September 5, 2024
Bratva again!
Don't they ever learn. It appears that this bunch has no honor. Threatening those that had nothing to do with the whole mess in the beginning. Gabriel didn't cause their problem and neither did Bella. They are pawns like everyone else. Hopefully their strength and love will win out. Why do I think Bella's father has a hand in this. Greed! Betcha.
Don't they ever learn. It appears that this bunch has no honor. Threatening those that had nothing to do with the whole mess in the beginning. Gabriel didn't cause their problem and neither did Bella. They are pawns like everyone else. Hopefully their strength and love will win out. Why do I think Bella's father has a hand in this. Greed! Betcha.
July 23, 2024
This was a great read. The pace was great and I loved the emotions brought to life by both characters. I hope to read more about them in the future.
4 star rating because I wish there was more.
***received as an ARC***
4 star rating because I wish there was more.
***received as an ARC***
July 31, 2024
What a fantastic story and how amazingly written that you can feel the emotions rolling off the pages. The suspenseful is of the charts and the flow of the plot is off the charts. This is a first read for this author by myself and l loved it
November 14, 2024
slow burn
Different type of dark mafia romance , gabriel being the good guy helping bella over coming her trauma was not what I expected but it kept me interested enough to keep reading .
Different type of dark mafia romance , gabriel being the good guy helping bella over coming her trauma was not what I expected but it kept me interested enough to keep reading .
December 12, 2024
I found it boring and filled with monotony. The repetition of thoughts was killing me. They also had no chemistry. There was no depth to their romance. Plus I had a hard time believing he worked for the mafia. I would’ve liked more explanation of his actual job.
July 22, 2024
Great book.. Awesome author..
August 16, 2024
Great Read
I didn’t want to put the book down. The story was perfect and with enough detail to get lost in it.
I didn’t want to put the book down. The story was perfect and with enough detail to get lost in it.
August 24, 2024
I enjoyed the plot. It was different from most mafia books and nice change. Gabriel was hot AF, and the spicy scenes were top-tier, but it leaves on a cliffhanger, and I hate that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2025
oh wow
Oh wow what a rollercoaster of a book , the things in her life that turned so drastically from a the good to bad & back again, will she get over it ?
Oh wow what a rollercoaster of a book , the things in her life that turned so drastically from a the good to bad & back again, will she get over it ?
September 2, 2024
3.75 stars
September 19, 2024
3.75
Both Hero and heroine are likeable!
Ends on cliffhanger
Hero is widow with 2 kids
Both Hero and heroine are likeable!
Ends on cliffhanger
Hero is widow with 2 kids
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews