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Burn for Me #2
Tempt the Flame
Sebastian
Hey Red, you wear that dress for me?
They see me as the joker.
The charmer.
The playboy.
But it is just a mask I wear to hide the demons that dance in the dark.
My life is too dangerous for me to fall in love.
Until Willow Stanton landed in my lap.
Literally.
I knew the moment I met her that she was the forever type of girl so I immediately drew a line and placed her on the other side of it.
I told myself she was too good for me, that she deserved more.
But when it comes to her, I'm weak and all it took was one night to seal our fate.
I tempted the flame and now we're both at risk of going up in flames.
Willow
Yeah baby, who else would I wear it for?
We were only supposed to be friends, but I should have known that Sebastian and I could never remain as such.
We pretended, played the game but ultimately we lost.
The temptation was too hard to ignore.
I knew what I was getting myself into and I understood the danger being with a man like Sebastian Levine could bring.
But one positive pregnancy test later changes everything.
Now there's a battle to fight and our own demons to face.
We're fighting for a future but first, we have to handle the past.
Tempt the Flame is a dark, friends to lovers romance which includes the surprise pregnancy trope. It is book 2 in the Burn For Me series but can be read as a standalone.
Hey Red, you wear that dress for me?
They see me as the joker.
The charmer.
The playboy.
But it is just a mask I wear to hide the demons that dance in the dark.
My life is too dangerous for me to fall in love.
Until Willow Stanton landed in my lap.
Literally.
I knew the moment I met her that she was the forever type of girl so I immediately drew a line and placed her on the other side of it.
I told myself she was too good for me, that she deserved more.
But when it comes to her, I'm weak and all it took was one night to seal our fate.
I tempted the flame and now we're both at risk of going up in flames.
Willow
Yeah baby, who else would I wear it for?
We were only supposed to be friends, but I should have known that Sebastian and I could never remain as such.
We pretended, played the game but ultimately we lost.
The temptation was too hard to ignore.
I knew what I was getting myself into and I understood the danger being with a man like Sebastian Levine could bring.
But one positive pregnancy test later changes everything.
Now there's a battle to fight and our own demons to face.
We're fighting for a future but first, we have to handle the past.
Tempt the Flame is a dark, friends to lovers romance which includes the surprise pregnancy trope. It is book 2 in the Burn For Me series but can be read as a standalone.
412 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 19, 2024
252 people are currently reading
1623 people want to read
About the author
Ria Wilde
19 books1,175 followersStories that are dirty, dangerous & deliciously sinful.
Ria Wilde is an international bestselling author of Dark, Steamy & Suspenseful Romance. She currently resides in the UK where getting lost in her books, and plotting the next best way to break some hearts is a daily occurrence.
A lover of all things steamy and sinful, she also has a big soft spot for small town romances & cowboys, but morally gray will forever be her favorite color!
HEA's & Spice, but there's no promise it'll be an easy ride, and be prepared to fall in love with her morally gray men and the sassy queens that steal their hearts.
Instagram: @authorriawilde
Facebook: @riawilderauthor
Tiktok: @.authorriawilde
Ria Wilde is an international bestselling author of Dark, Steamy & Suspenseful Romance. She currently resides in the UK where getting lost in her books, and plotting the next best way to break some hearts is a daily occurrence.
A lover of all things steamy and sinful, she also has a big soft spot for small town romances & cowboys, but morally gray will forever be her favorite color!
HEA's & Spice, but there's no promise it'll be an easy ride, and be prepared to fall in love with her morally gray men and the sassy queens that steal their hearts.
Instagram: @authorriawilde
Facebook: @riawilderauthor
Tiktok: @.authorriawilde
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September 11, 2024Self note:
I got scared for a second because of the tropes and thought this was filled with OWD, with the h probably pining away while he sleeps with anyone. But it’s safe!
There is no OWD and he has been celibate ever since meeting the h.🥳
I got scared for a second because of the tropes and thought this was filled with OWD, with the h probably pining away while he sleeps with anyone. But it’s safe!
There is no OWD and he has been celibate ever since meeting the h.🥳
September 23, 2024
This was everything I needed!! Finished in less than 24 hours. Man obsessed, friends to lovers and accidental pregnancy in a mafia setting, a girls dream!
Bash and Willow pulled me out of a reading slump- it was a quick addictive read, I loved the banter, the found family, how bad Sebastian had it for Willow, the childhood trauma aspect, and the BREADCRUMBS for other potential books! First but not last Ria book for me!
These romantic v happily ever after mafia books are what started my love for mafia when I first got KU so it was good to be back! 😍
“If you think being away from you this week was easy for me, then you’re wrong,” I tell her when I can see the drinks are done and being placed on a tray, “I couldn’t fcking breathe.”
‘Hey, Red, you wear this dress for me? ‘Of course, baby, who else would I wear it for?’
Dark mafia
Friends to lovers
Accidental pregnancy
Strong FMC
Spicy
Childhood trauma
4.5 ⭐️
2.5🌶️
Bash and Willow pulled me out of a reading slump- it was a quick addictive read, I loved the banter, the found family, how bad Sebastian had it for Willow, the childhood trauma aspect, and the BREADCRUMBS for other potential books! First but not last Ria book for me!
These romantic v happily ever after mafia books are what started my love for mafia when I first got KU so it was good to be back! 😍
“If you think being away from you this week was easy for me, then you’re wrong,” I tell her when I can see the drinks are done and being placed on a tray, “I couldn’t fcking breathe.”
‘Hey, Red, you wear this dress for me? ‘Of course, baby, who else would I wear it for?’
Dark mafia
Friends to lovers
Accidental pregnancy
Strong FMC
Spicy
Childhood trauma
4.5 ⭐️
2.5🌶️
September 21, 2024
ᯓ 3.5 ★ Thank you for the ARC 💙
I loved book one and this book as well~ The story was interesting, the couple was sweet, and the book was easy and fast read for me. The only thing for me was that it was a little hard for me to get into the book or the couple, and the reason was because we didn't see them from the start, and the way it was their connection felt a little sudden and fast. I liked them as a couple, and both characters needed each other and deserved the love they had for each other 🫂
Sebastian had his moments at the start with saying what he wanted and communicating in general, but afterward, it got a lot better, and I loved him. I loved how he was obsessed with Willow, how he loved her, and how he was always there for and taking care of her. We didn't get a lot about his past, but what we got showed that he didn't think he was good enough for her even tho he wanted to be with her. I loved his reaction to the pregnancy 😭 The way he was shocked, too, but seeing how Willow was, he made sure she was feeling okay and knew that he would always be there for her and the baby. The way he was with her when she was pregnant was everything~ Not only was he there with her all the time and making sure she was okay and feeling good and loved, but he was also taking photos of her belly every week so he could see how much their baby was growing and loved how he was reading pregnancy and parenting books all the time to know what they need to do 🥺 Willow was such a fun character from book one and she was fun and strong character here as well. She loved Sebastian and understood how he was feeling, but she never let him do something and just get away with it. She always stood her ground and told him how it was and didn't let him get away with the way he would ignore her or close off because of his insecurities and worries. Finding out about her past broke my heart. The way her mother abused her was horrible and sickening to see. It broke my heart to see her reaction to the pregnancy and how she worried that she might turn out just like her own mother. I was glad she told Sebastian everything and loved how both he and Olivia were there for her and always told her that she was nothing like her mom and she would never do anything bad to her child 🫂
The ending was really cute, and I loved seeing them happy with their daughter, Hope. The epilogue was 16 years later about Hope going to her school dance with Wyatt (Olivia and Malakai's son). I'm not sure if there will be a second generation or not, but if there is, I'm assuming Hope and Wyatt might be a couple if not, then they will just be good best friends 🤔 I LOVED KILLIAN AND SAVANNAH LITTLE CRUMBS~ She is Sebastian's little sister, and he is Sebastain's best friend so even tho they both clearly like each other they both don't want to say anything or act on it because of Sebastian. He raised Savannah, so he is very much like her father and is very overprotective of he. Savannah even said that if there is anything and Sebastian finds out, he will kill Killian 😂 I'm sure their book is next, so I'm excited to see how it will turn out~
I loved book one and this book as well~ The story was interesting, the couple was sweet, and the book was easy and fast read for me. The only thing for me was that it was a little hard for me to get into the book or the couple, and the reason was because we didn't see them from the start, and the way it was their connection felt a little sudden and fast. I liked them as a couple, and both characters needed each other and deserved the love they had for each other 🫂
Sebastian had his moments at the start with saying what he wanted and communicating in general, but afterward, it got a lot better, and I loved him. I loved how he was obsessed with Willow, how he loved her, and how he was always there for and taking care of her. We didn't get a lot about his past, but what we got showed that he didn't think he was good enough for her even tho he wanted to be with her. I loved his reaction to the pregnancy 😭 The way he was shocked, too, but seeing how Willow was, he made sure she was feeling okay and knew that he would always be there for her and the baby. The way he was with her when she was pregnant was everything~ Not only was he there with her all the time and making sure she was okay and feeling good and loved, but he was also taking photos of her belly every week so he could see how much their baby was growing and loved how he was reading pregnancy and parenting books all the time to know what they need to do 🥺 Willow was such a fun character from book one and she was fun and strong character here as well. She loved Sebastian and understood how he was feeling, but she never let him do something and just get away with it. She always stood her ground and told him how it was and didn't let him get away with the way he would ignore her or close off because of his insecurities and worries. Finding out about her past broke my heart. The way her mother abused her was horrible and sickening to see. It broke my heart to see her reaction to the pregnancy and how she worried that she might turn out just like her own mother. I was glad she told Sebastian everything and loved how both he and Olivia were there for her and always told her that she was nothing like her mom and she would never do anything bad to her child 🫂
The ending was really cute, and I loved seeing them happy with their daughter, Hope. The epilogue was 16 years later about Hope going to her school dance with Wyatt (Olivia and Malakai's son). I'm not sure if there will be a second generation or not, but if there is, I'm assuming Hope and Wyatt might be a couple if not, then they will just be good best friends 🤔 I LOVED KILLIAN AND SAVANNAH LITTLE CRUMBS~ She is Sebastian's little sister, and he is Sebastain's best friend so even tho they both clearly like each other they both don't want to say anything or act on it because of Sebastian. He raised Savannah, so he is very much like her father and is very overprotective of he. Savannah even said that if there is anything and Sebastian finds out, he will kill Killian 😂 I'm sure their book is next, so I'm excited to see how it will turn out~
August 31, 2024
★★★★★. Thank you so much Ria for this ARC! This review will contain some spoilers so please be aware!
Once again, Ria has outdone herself. Right from the first chapter, she had me and I couldn’t put the book down. Sebastian and Willow were two characters who didn’t receive love growing up and found something pure and beautiful with one another.
Sebastian, a man. A good man. A real man. Him loving Willow right from the beginning at Malakai’s and Olivia’s wedding was everything. Him thinking how Willow is the most beautiful girl in the world and having him physically be in pain from her beauty…amazing. Him doing everything he can to just be near Willow and keep her safe yet also wanting her and only her. I do wish we got a little more on his past but from what we got and his fighting I felt so bad. He just wants to be good enough for Willow. His reaction to the pregnancy. EVERYTHING. Ria came through with this. He reacted PERFECTLY and made sure it was about Willow. I loved how attentive he was with her and always making sure she was safe. Him putting a gun to that woman’s head…yeah I love him.
Willow, my girl. Her past hurt. Reading how her mother was with her and how she truly believed she killed her mom was so sad. I hated reading how she kept seeing her mom’s ghost and believing she was haunted. Her love for Sebastian was everything. She understood why he kept pushing away and why he was keeping her at arms length; however she held her ground. She had a backbone!!!! She never let him speak down to her or let him get away with how he acted after he ghosted her for that week. I love how she gagged him and spoke her mind. Her reaction to the pregnancy was so sad because she thought Sebastian would think she planned it. And her thinning she could be like her mom was heart breaking. Her finally getting her happy ending with Sebastian and her daughter Hope was perfect.
MalakaiOlivia crumbs were everything.
Killian and Savannah are next I just know it and I need them.
Dean and who???? RYDER? Oh please, I’m begging.
“The problem is, I can’t have Willow, I know what’ll happen if we do, but I don’t like seeing another man on her either. Which is completely unfair and ridiculous.”
“You don’t want me but no one else can have me either.”
“Wanting Willow isn’t the issue. I want her like I need the next breath in my lungs. But I put up that line, drew it in the sand and placed myself on one side and her on the other.”
“You don’t think I love you already?”
“Well, I…” I trail off.
“I am in love with you,” He chokes, “So damn in love with you my heart may as well be walking around outside of my body.”
Once again, Ria has outdone herself. Right from the first chapter, she had me and I couldn’t put the book down. Sebastian and Willow were two characters who didn’t receive love growing up and found something pure and beautiful with one another.
Sebastian, a man. A good man. A real man. Him loving Willow right from the beginning at Malakai’s and Olivia’s wedding was everything. Him thinking how Willow is the most beautiful girl in the world and having him physically be in pain from her beauty…amazing. Him doing everything he can to just be near Willow and keep her safe yet also wanting her and only her. I do wish we got a little more on his past but from what we got and his fighting I felt so bad. He just wants to be good enough for Willow. His reaction to the pregnancy. EVERYTHING. Ria came through with this. He reacted PERFECTLY and made sure it was about Willow. I loved how attentive he was with her and always making sure she was safe. Him putting a gun to that woman’s head…yeah I love him.
Willow, my girl. Her past hurt. Reading how her mother was with her and how she truly believed she killed her mom was so sad. I hated reading how she kept seeing her mom’s ghost and believing she was haunted. Her love for Sebastian was everything. She understood why he kept pushing away and why he was keeping her at arms length; however she held her ground. She had a backbone!!!! She never let him speak down to her or let him get away with how he acted after he ghosted her for that week. I love how she gagged him and spoke her mind. Her reaction to the pregnancy was so sad because she thought Sebastian would think she planned it. And her thinning she could be like her mom was heart breaking. Her finally getting her happy ending with Sebastian and her daughter Hope was perfect.
MalakaiOlivia crumbs were everything.
Killian and Savannah are next I just know it and I need them.
Dean and who???? RYDER? Oh please, I’m begging.
“The problem is, I can’t have Willow, I know what’ll happen if we do, but I don’t like seeing another man on her either. Which is completely unfair and ridiculous.”
“You don’t want me but no one else can have me either.”
“Wanting Willow isn’t the issue. I want her like I need the next breath in my lungs. But I put up that line, drew it in the sand and placed myself on one side and her on the other.”
“You don’t think I love you already?”
“Well, I…” I trail off.
“I am in love with you,” He chokes, “So damn in love with you my heart may as well be walking around outside of my body.”
September 1, 2024
firstly I want to thank Ria for this ARC I was so excited to be chosen.
Playing with fire was my first glimpse of Ria’s work and she did a great job in that book with the SebastianWillow crumbs because I was EAGERLY waiting for Tempt the flame.
✨4.25/5
ᯓ Sebastian the man that you are 😍 I’m all for the funny characters, they always have my heart and I’m glad he lived up to my expectations. We learned a lot about Sebastian and how he’s more than just a pretty face with some jokes, he’s extremely caring & deals with his own insecurities in a very unique way. I found his fighting mechanism interesting because it’s polar opposite of what I would’ve expected from him and honestly I felt sad for him, he has so much rage that he feels he has to go there in the ring to get it all out. The way this man loves should be studied— he made some minor mess ups along the way but I liked how very aware he was and always knew he messed up in the moment & tried to fix it to the best of his ability.
ᯓ Willow the MOTHER that you are 😮💨 omg she was such a strong FMC I LIVEDDDD for the moments she stood up for herself and made sure to make Seb work harder especially when he messed up. She’s so real for some of the insecurities she had (especially when we find out her tumultuous relationship with her mother) and how because of that she’s not gonna allow herself to be treated in any which way. I wish we saw her & Hopes relationship a bit more after she was born especially because her mommy issues were brought up alot and how she was scared to end up like her mother and it would’ve been nice to see her be the best mother she could be.
Overall I’m so happy they got a great happy ending and cant wait for Killian’s book especially because we got Killian & Savannah crumbs 👀👀👀
Playing with fire was my first glimpse of Ria’s work and she did a great job in that book with the SebastianWillow crumbs because I was EAGERLY waiting for Tempt the flame.
✨4.25/5
ᯓ Sebastian the man that you are 😍 I’m all for the funny characters, they always have my heart and I’m glad he lived up to my expectations. We learned a lot about Sebastian and how he’s more than just a pretty face with some jokes, he’s extremely caring & deals with his own insecurities in a very unique way. I found his fighting mechanism interesting because it’s polar opposite of what I would’ve expected from him and honestly I felt sad for him, he has so much rage that he feels he has to go there in the ring to get it all out. The way this man loves should be studied— he made some minor mess ups along the way but I liked how very aware he was and always knew he messed up in the moment & tried to fix it to the best of his ability.
ᯓ Willow the MOTHER that you are 😮💨 omg she was such a strong FMC I LIVEDDDD for the moments she stood up for herself and made sure to make Seb work harder especially when he messed up. She’s so real for some of the insecurities she had (especially when we find out her tumultuous relationship with her mother) and how because of that she’s not gonna allow herself to be treated in any which way. I wish we saw her & Hopes relationship a bit more after she was born especially because her mommy issues were brought up alot and how she was scared to end up like her mother and it would’ve been nice to see her be the best mother she could be.
Overall I’m so happy they got a great happy ending and cant wait for Killian’s book especially because we got Killian & Savannah crumbs 👀👀👀
April 20, 2025
friends to lovers + accidental pregnancy aren’t tropes i normally gravitate towards, but Sebastian & Willow grabbed hold of my heartstrings and pulled until i couldn’t help but bask in their whirlwind of a love story.
“I am in love with you,” He chokes, “So damn in love with you my heart may as well be walking around outside of my body.”
there was plenty of push and pull/back and forth in the beginning… but once they decided to commit, they were such a strong force. i really loved how they faced their own internal demons while having the unwavering support of the other at their back- always.
the suspense aspect of this was really great too, imo. i’m a Ria Wilde girly til i die, and i’m chomping at the bit to read Savannah & Killian’s story, and then eventually Dean’s too! i need all my babies happy and in love.
“I am in love with you,” He chokes, “So damn in love with you my heart may as well be walking around outside of my body.”
there was plenty of push and pull/back and forth in the beginning… but once they decided to commit, they were such a strong force. i really loved how they faced their own internal demons while having the unwavering support of the other at their back- always.
the suspense aspect of this was really great too, imo. i’m a Ria Wilde girly til i die, and i’m chomping at the bit to read Savannah & Killian’s story, and then eventually Dean’s too! i need all my babies happy and in love.
May 2, 2025
3 ⭐️
Not my favourite, but not bad - I only stuck with it because although Sebastian was a reformed playboy, it wasn't thrown in my face that much and he never thinks or talks about his past or any comparisons, he was also celibate since meeting Willow (2 months, but still)
What I didn't like was the push and pull from Sebastian, it got tiring after a while and the surprise pregnancy (a trope I actually love!) didn't hit for me because both of them didn't handle the news well and made it seem like a bad thing (no judgement towards any person's reaction to pregnancy news, but in romance books I want at least a little bit of happiness)
☆ Dual pov
☆ Reformed playboy MMC/non-virgin FMC
☆ Both celibate since meeting
☆ Organised crime MMC
☆ No cheating or OW/OM drama
☆ HEA ending + epilogue
Not my favourite, but not bad - I only stuck with it because although Sebastian was a reformed playboy, it wasn't thrown in my face that much and he never thinks or talks about his past or any comparisons, he was also celibate since meeting Willow (2 months, but still)
What I didn't like was the push and pull from Sebastian, it got tiring after a while and the surprise pregnancy (a trope I actually love!) didn't hit for me because both of them didn't handle the news well and made it seem like a bad thing (no judgement towards any person's reaction to pregnancy news, but in romance books I want at least a little bit of happiness)
☆ Dual pov
☆ Reformed playboy MMC/non-virgin FMC
☆ Both celibate since meeting
☆ Organised crime MMC
☆ No cheating or OW/OM drama
☆ HEA ending + epilogue
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2024
dnf 66% in, was I expecting much? No. But the constant lack of communication from both sides was infuriating to the point I had to stop reading. I literally had to remind myself of free will and that I didn’t have to keep reading it.
Read
October 7, 2024DNF. I don’t even know what the plot was
September 21, 2024
this book was so wholesome. the way Sebastian loved Willow is so heart-warming. I loved them both so much.
“𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒊𝒏 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖,” 𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒔, “𝑺𝒐 𝒅𝒂𝒎𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒎𝒂𝒚 𝒂𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒚 𝒃𝒐𝒅𝒚.”
“𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒊𝒏 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖,” 𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒔, “𝑺𝒐 𝒅𝒂𝒎𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒎𝒂𝒚 𝒂𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒚 𝒃𝒐𝒅𝒚.”
October 8, 2024
4.5⭐️
Sebastian what a man you are !!!
I want a man who is obsessed and utterly in love Sebastian was with willow. You couldn’t help falling in love with them! I wish it dived in a little bit more about Sebastian’s past. His struggle of thinking he wasn’t good enough for her but did everything in his power to make sure he was but Sebastian darling you were exactly what she needed (and more than enough for me). His reaction to her pregnancy !!!! I adored him even more.
Willow, even haunted by her past, was amazing. She was strong and held her ground even when Sebastian tried pushing her away at times. I love a FMC with a backbone.
Again I utterly adored them. I LOVED them. I really enjoyed this book. Thank you again for this ARC Ria 🖤
Tropes:
🔥 Touch her and 💀
🔥 Surprise pregnancy
🔥 MC trauma
🔥 Friends to lovers
🔥 Possessive and obsessed MMC
September 19, 2024
Not me reading every Ria book looking for glimpse of my man Gabe only to not see him and fall in love with some one new. So here we go with my new loves.
“I would flatten this entire city for you, Willow and everyone in it. Burn it all to the ground. No one will ever hurt you again, do you understand me?”
Sebastian is a remarkable man—truly a good man. From the moment he saw Willow at Malakai and Olivia’s wedding, his love for her shone through. He finds her the most beautiful girl in the world, to the point where her beauty causes him real pain. He does everything possible to be near Willow and protect her, while yearning for her affection. I wish we had explored more of his backstory, but his struggles and desire to be worthy of Willow's love were deeply affecting. His reaction to the pregnancy was everything; Ria nailed it, showcasing how he centered everything around Willow. I admired his attentiveness and constant concern for her safety, even when he had to confront dangers head-on. It’s hard not to love him for that.
As for Willow, she's had her share of pain. It was heartbreaking to read about her relationship with her mother and her misguided belief that she was responsible for her mother's death. The moments she felt haunted by her mom’s ghost were truly tragic. Her love for Sebastian is profound, as she understands his need for distance yet stands her ground. She has such strength! Willow refuses to let him belittle her or ignore the way he treated her after disappearing for a week. I loved how she took charge during their relationship and expressed her feelings candidly. Her reaction to the pregnancy was bittersweet, fearing that Sebastian might think it was intentional and grappling with the thought that she could end up like her mother. Ultimately, her happiness with Sebastian and their daughter, Hope, brought her story full circle beautifully.
“I would flatten this entire city for you, Willow and everyone in it. Burn it all to the ground. No one will ever hurt you again, do you understand me?”
Sebastian is a remarkable man—truly a good man. From the moment he saw Willow at Malakai and Olivia’s wedding, his love for her shone through. He finds her the most beautiful girl in the world, to the point where her beauty causes him real pain. He does everything possible to be near Willow and protect her, while yearning for her affection. I wish we had explored more of his backstory, but his struggles and desire to be worthy of Willow's love were deeply affecting. His reaction to the pregnancy was everything; Ria nailed it, showcasing how he centered everything around Willow. I admired his attentiveness and constant concern for her safety, even when he had to confront dangers head-on. It’s hard not to love him for that.
As for Willow, she's had her share of pain. It was heartbreaking to read about her relationship with her mother and her misguided belief that she was responsible for her mother's death. The moments she felt haunted by her mom’s ghost were truly tragic. Her love for Sebastian is profound, as she understands his need for distance yet stands her ground. She has such strength! Willow refuses to let him belittle her or ignore the way he treated her after disappearing for a week. I loved how she took charge during their relationship and expressed her feelings candidly. Her reaction to the pregnancy was bittersweet, fearing that Sebastian might think it was intentional and grappling with the thought that she could end up like her mother. Ultimately, her happiness with Sebastian and their daughter, Hope, brought her story full circle beautifully.
January 25, 2025
3.5 rounded up
This was pretty good but there were some ridiculous scenes that were so unrealistic. I don't want to spoil anything though.
-former playboy (insert eyeroll)
-no Vs
- no one for either after they met each other
-a lot of push back from H. She forgives him too easily when he's an a-hole but she isn't a total doormat
-no OW/OM drama
-friends to lovers
This was pretty good but there were some ridiculous scenes that were so unrealistic. I don't want to spoil anything though.
-former playboy (insert eyeroll)
-no Vs
- no one for either after they met each other
-a lot of push back from H. She forgives him too easily when he's an a-hole but she isn't a total doormat
-no OW/OM drama
-friends to lovers
Read
October 27, 2024Dnf'ed
September 16, 2024
When friends fall but he knows that his dark side is not good enough for her it’s bound to be a good story and Ria Wilde doesn’t disappoint when she delivers Sebastian and Willow’s story.
In Playing With Fire (book one) we got to meet Sebastian and learn a little about him, but Ria had so much more up her sleeves for Bast. This group of men are more than morally grey they are dark and dangerous and perfectly okay with their role in the world. Sebastian embraces his dark side and being deep in the world Malakai rules is his home. He is incredibly adept at hiding his darkness and showing the world only what they expect. As expected he has a side that only Willow seems to bring out in him.
Willow is Olivia’s best friend but they have known each other since childhood and are more like sisters. When Olivia married Malakai, Willow was by her side and supporting her in any way she could. She’s light-hearted and soft and sweet all the things that Sebastian isn’t. At least on the outside, but Willow has not had the easy life that she portrays. Her money and status don’t ease her past haunts. Sebastian might exist in the shadows and darkness of the underworld but to Willow, she is everything that makes her whole.
When these two come together it’s an explosion of heat and passion because Sebastian has held himself from taking what he wants but that doesn’t mean that Willow hasn’t been his since they met.
This was freaking fantastic and I loved the individual characters and then when paired up they were phenomenal.
With some delicious breadcrumbs dropped by Ria, I am really looking forward to her next release.
.
.
.
Sebastian has wanted Willow from the moment she ended up in his lap at Olivia and Malakai’s wedding. She is all the things that a man like him shouldn’t be allowed to have. While she is light and good he is dark and has hands that are covered with the lives of others.
‘The moment I met Willow two months ago at Malakai and Olivia’s wedding, I knew she was a forever type of woman. Just not a forever type of woman for me. Not because she wasn’t good enough but because she was too good.’
Willow knows what Malakai and his business involve and that includes Sebastian. Despite what he does in the dark underworld when he’s around her Sebastian makes her smile and feel special. He also lights her up from the inside and the more she is around him the more she wants him. Sebastian might flirt and be protective of her but he never crosses that line.
‘He’s like a drug I can’t get enough of. And I know it only adds to the pain of not being able to have him and yet I still want more. There is no cure to my addiction of him, no remedy and even when I try to resist, I fall straight back into him. I am a glutton for punishment, it hurts and yet I willingly place my hand in the flames knowing it’ll burn.’
He knows that if he takes it too far even just one time, it will never be enough. Keeping himself locked up from taking it too far is a battle every time he’s around her and wanting her is becoming impossible to resist.
‘She’s a train I can’t stop, and I’m tied to the tracks. I want her to ruin me. Destroy me.’
Finally getting Sebastian is everything she had hoped it would be. He is more than what he does for Malakai and he is more than the face he shows to the outside world. Sebastian is her other half but she has no idea if he will ever let her keep him or if he’ll push her away.
‘He doesn’t even realize he has the ability to destroy me, doesn’t even realize he just did.’
There is no way that he can lose her now that he’s had her. She is everything that makes his life whole and complete and he’s determined not to let the darkness of his world or anything else touch her. If anything happened to her he would destroy the world for her.
“I would flatten this entire city for you, Willow and everyone in it. Burn it all to the ground. No one will ever hurt you again, do you understand me?”
Happy Reading
In Playing With Fire (book one) we got to meet Sebastian and learn a little about him, but Ria had so much more up her sleeves for Bast. This group of men are more than morally grey they are dark and dangerous and perfectly okay with their role in the world. Sebastian embraces his dark side and being deep in the world Malakai rules is his home. He is incredibly adept at hiding his darkness and showing the world only what they expect. As expected he has a side that only Willow seems to bring out in him.
Willow is Olivia’s best friend but they have known each other since childhood and are more like sisters. When Olivia married Malakai, Willow was by her side and supporting her in any way she could. She’s light-hearted and soft and sweet all the things that Sebastian isn’t. At least on the outside, but Willow has not had the easy life that she portrays. Her money and status don’t ease her past haunts. Sebastian might exist in the shadows and darkness of the underworld but to Willow, she is everything that makes her whole.
When these two come together it’s an explosion of heat and passion because Sebastian has held himself from taking what he wants but that doesn’t mean that Willow hasn’t been his since they met.
This was freaking fantastic and I loved the individual characters and then when paired up they were phenomenal.
With some delicious breadcrumbs dropped by Ria, I am really looking forward to her next release.
.
.
.
Sebastian has wanted Willow from the moment she ended up in his lap at Olivia and Malakai’s wedding. She is all the things that a man like him shouldn’t be allowed to have. While she is light and good he is dark and has hands that are covered with the lives of others.
‘The moment I met Willow two months ago at Malakai and Olivia’s wedding, I knew she was a forever type of woman. Just not a forever type of woman for me. Not because she wasn’t good enough but because she was too good.’
Willow knows what Malakai and his business involve and that includes Sebastian. Despite what he does in the dark underworld when he’s around her Sebastian makes her smile and feel special. He also lights her up from the inside and the more she is around him the more she wants him. Sebastian might flirt and be protective of her but he never crosses that line.
‘He’s like a drug I can’t get enough of. And I know it only adds to the pain of not being able to have him and yet I still want more. There is no cure to my addiction of him, no remedy and even when I try to resist, I fall straight back into him. I am a glutton for punishment, it hurts and yet I willingly place my hand in the flames knowing it’ll burn.’
He knows that if he takes it too far even just one time, it will never be enough. Keeping himself locked up from taking it too far is a battle every time he’s around her and wanting her is becoming impossible to resist.
‘She’s a train I can’t stop, and I’m tied to the tracks. I want her to ruin me. Destroy me.’
Finally getting Sebastian is everything she had hoped it would be. He is more than what he does for Malakai and he is more than the face he shows to the outside world. Sebastian is her other half but she has no idea if he will ever let her keep him or if he’ll push her away.
‘He doesn’t even realize he has the ability to destroy me, doesn’t even realize he just did.’
There is no way that he can lose her now that he’s had her. She is everything that makes his life whole and complete and he’s determined not to let the darkness of his world or anything else touch her. If anything happened to her he would destroy the world for her.
“I would flatten this entire city for you, Willow and everyone in it. Burn it all to the ground. No one will ever hurt you again, do you understand me?”
Happy Reading
September 4, 2024
Can I just say that @authoriawilde is my new favourite author. Without a doubt. Anything she writes I will devour. It is without a doubt I rate this book 5 stars. Honestly can I do 6? You know what, let’s do 6 because heck Sebastian and Willow deserve it.
I have so much I want to say. So much I want to add to the photo collage. But you need to experience this read for yourself. I can’t explain how much I love this book, you need to read it.
I loved everything about this book. The trauma dumping, the vulnerability, the laughs, the love, the family, the protection. Oh my the protection. Sebastian is exactly how I pictured him to be, that man I just want to reach into the book and give a big old cuddle, but also smack him in the head for how he treated Willow.
I was absolutely laughing for most of the book, one of my fav scenes is the spider. 🤣 because honestly that’s a valid reaction from Willow.
Sebastian: 𝑾𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒌 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒅𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒊𝒔 𝒅𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒔. YOU HAVE TO READ THE BOOK FOR THIS SCENE I PROMISE YOU IT IS WORTH IT 🎬
The love that Willow and Sebastian have from the beginning is so strong, and the push and the shove is perfect, it doesn’t go on for too long, and they genuinely do belong together. They’re perfect, he is psychotic enough for Willow; and Willow is his peace. The one that brings him in from the storm he places himself in.
𝙈𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙨𝙣𝙖𝙥𝙨 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙞𝙣 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙘𝙠, “𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙪𝙘𝙠?” 𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙢𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙡𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙨,
“𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙥 𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙠𝙞𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙛𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙮 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙡𝙚𝙣.”
“𝙄 𝙙𝙞𝙙 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙛𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙮 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙡𝙚𝙣.”
You don’t need context. You need to read the book. 📖
Read this masterpiece when it’s released because you will not regret it.
Releasing September 19th and I recommend running to KU. 😘
I have so much I want to say. So much I want to add to the photo collage. But you need to experience this read for yourself. I can’t explain how much I love this book, you need to read it.
I loved everything about this book. The trauma dumping, the vulnerability, the laughs, the love, the family, the protection. Oh my the protection. Sebastian is exactly how I pictured him to be, that man I just want to reach into the book and give a big old cuddle, but also smack him in the head for how he treated Willow.
I was absolutely laughing for most of the book, one of my fav scenes is the spider. 🤣 because honestly that’s a valid reaction from Willow.
Sebastian: 𝑾𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒌 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒅𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒊𝒔 𝒅𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒔. YOU HAVE TO READ THE BOOK FOR THIS SCENE I PROMISE YOU IT IS WORTH IT 🎬
The love that Willow and Sebastian have from the beginning is so strong, and the push and the shove is perfect, it doesn’t go on for too long, and they genuinely do belong together. They’re perfect, he is psychotic enough for Willow; and Willow is his peace. The one that brings him in from the storm he places himself in.
𝙈𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙨𝙣𝙖𝙥𝙨 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙞𝙣 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙘𝙠, “𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙪𝙘𝙠?” 𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙢𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙡𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙨,
“𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙥 𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙠𝙞𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙛𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙮 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙡𝙚𝙣.”
“𝙄 𝙙𝙞𝙙 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙛𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙮 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙡𝙚𝙣.”
You don’t need context. You need to read the book. 📖
Read this masterpiece when it’s released because you will not regret it.
Releasing September 19th and I recommend running to KU. 😘
September 4, 2024
Ria has done it AGAIN👏🏻
Absolutely DEVOURED this book from the first chapter and could not put it down. I loved it so much!
The playful banter between Sebastian and Willow was perfect, which turned into me shouting “DO IT SEBASTIAN!” until he decided he couldn’t be without his red and kissed her🥲
Sebastian had a few hurdles to cross as he believed he wasn’t allowed anything good in his life, that included his Red. He was so so protective over her and the trope “touch her and 💀” was so real with how he was with Willow!
Willow had past trauma that she needed to heal from and it hurt my heart to see how badly it would affect her daily. When she finally opened up to Sebastian he took on her pain but was there for her.
And then comes the pregnancy🤭 honestly daddy Sebastian might be my new favourite thing. The possessiveness grew even more and I was OBSESSED🥹
Throw in a bit of drama also, thanks for that Ria🥹😂🤣
Honestly loved this book so much!!🥹 and that epilogue? Grumpy protective dad Sebastian?! Perfect😂
Absolutely DEVOURED this book from the first chapter and could not put it down. I loved it so much!
The playful banter between Sebastian and Willow was perfect, which turned into me shouting “DO IT SEBASTIAN!” until he decided he couldn’t be without his red and kissed her🥲
Sebastian had a few hurdles to cross as he believed he wasn’t allowed anything good in his life, that included his Red. He was so so protective over her and the trope “touch her and 💀” was so real with how he was with Willow!
Willow had past trauma that she needed to heal from and it hurt my heart to see how badly it would affect her daily. When she finally opened up to Sebastian he took on her pain but was there for her.
And then comes the pregnancy🤭 honestly daddy Sebastian might be my new favourite thing. The possessiveness grew even more and I was OBSESSED🥹
Throw in a bit of drama also, thanks for that Ria🥹😂🤣
Honestly loved this book so much!!🥹 and that epilogue? Grumpy protective dad Sebastian?! Perfect😂
August 7, 2025
4.25 stars
2 spice
I flewwww thru this bad boy & loved every minute of it. Bast was down so bad for Willow and you could tell from the beginning. I absolutely loved their banter & friendship. Esp their lil
“Hey, Red,” , “You wear this dress for me?”
“Yeah, baby.” Exchanges throughout. SO GOOD. Bast calling her Wills was so sweet too. This was overall a solid mafia book and I will definitely be continuing.
My only complaint is the end felt rushed & SO many events happened back to back to back in very dramatic fashion. A me thing for sure. Def recommend if you like mafia, obsessed men with a side of accidental pregnancy.
2 spice
I flewwww thru this bad boy & loved every minute of it. Bast was down so bad for Willow and you could tell from the beginning. I absolutely loved their banter & friendship. Esp their lil
“Hey, Red,” , “You wear this dress for me?”
“Yeah, baby.” Exchanges throughout. SO GOOD. Bast calling her Wills was so sweet too. This was overall a solid mafia book and I will definitely be continuing.
My only complaint is the end felt rushed & SO many events happened back to back to back in very dramatic fashion. A me thing for sure. Def recommend if you like mafia, obsessed men with a side of accidental pregnancy.
September 4, 2024
This was my very first ARC and it did not disappoint! Thanks so much Ria 🫶🏼
Tempt the Flame - coming September 19th
This book immediately jumps into it with an almost infuriating push and pull between our two MC’s. They are best friends and while one tries to draw a line in the sand, they both 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 want to cross it.
“𝑰𝒔 𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒇 𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍?”
Both main characters are loyal and the type to do whatever it takes to keep the other safe. Willow is our sassy & strong FMC. Battling her past trauma and abuse while never letting it dictate who she is as a person. Sebastian is our deliciously morally grey MMC who is a reformed playboy with major touch her and 💀 vibes. I actually loved that even though he is quick to anger and has very dark “hobbies”… he’s also very goofy and incredibly caring. I wasn’t sure about the way he was treating Willow in the beginning, but we get a better understanding of everything he does as the book goes on.
The book itself was really well written and as a girly who LOVES the pregnancy trope, Ria didn’t let me down. The characters had me swooning and kicking my feet.
Expect
•friends to lovers
•push and pull
•touch her and 💀
•past trauma
•surprise pregnancy
5 stars ⭐️🤍
Tempt the Flame - coming September 19th
This book immediately jumps into it with an almost infuriating push and pull between our two MC’s. They are best friends and while one tries to draw a line in the sand, they both 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 want to cross it.
“𝑰𝒔 𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒇 𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍?”
Both main characters are loyal and the type to do whatever it takes to keep the other safe. Willow is our sassy & strong FMC. Battling her past trauma and abuse while never letting it dictate who she is as a person. Sebastian is our deliciously morally grey MMC who is a reformed playboy with major touch her and 💀 vibes. I actually loved that even though he is quick to anger and has very dark “hobbies”… he’s also very goofy and incredibly caring. I wasn’t sure about the way he was treating Willow in the beginning, but we get a better understanding of everything he does as the book goes on.
The book itself was really well written and as a girly who LOVES the pregnancy trope, Ria didn’t let me down. The characters had me swooning and kicking my feet.
Expect
•friends to lovers
•push and pull
•touch her and 💀
•past trauma
•surprise pregnancy
5 stars ⭐️🤍
September 21, 2024
This book should be renamed Close Call lol
Like the first book, it's fairly predictable, but it's extremely sweet. Willow and Sebastian have a very flirty friendship, and they decide to cross the line to be more. The pacing of this book must be fast because she got knocked up quickly! Lol, lots of drama and "close calls" happen at the end, and it's like, dang, what else is going to happen?? The book is almost over!
The wedding scene got me all teary-eyed when Sebastian said, "Hey Red, you wear this dress for me?" 😭😭😭😭
Like the first book, it's fairly predictable, but it's extremely sweet. Willow and Sebastian have a very flirty friendship, and they decide to cross the line to be more. The pacing of this book must be fast because she got knocked up quickly! Lol, lots of drama and "close calls" happen at the end, and it's like, dang, what else is going to happen?? The book is almost over!
The wedding scene got me all teary-eyed when Sebastian said, "Hey Red, you wear this dress for me?" 😭😭😭😭
January 16, 2025
predictable
I wouldn’t say this is a friends to lovers storyline. These two have been attracted to each other from the beginning and have been dancing around being with each other for a while. The “good girl” aspect didn’t really play out well for me. I don’t understand why Bast is the way he is. Why does he have so much darkness? Willow was kind of weak. She didn’t stand on anything. A bit predictable. How did Dean find Christian the second time but not when he disappeared? I do love when a woman saves herself though. Love that the epilogue was far into the future.
I wouldn’t say this is a friends to lovers storyline. These two have been attracted to each other from the beginning and have been dancing around being with each other for a while. The “good girl” aspect didn’t really play out well for me. I don’t understand why Bast is the way he is. Why does he have so much darkness? Willow was kind of weak. She didn’t stand on anything. A bit predictable. How did Dean find Christian the second time but not when he disappeared? I do love when a woman saves herself though. Love that the epilogue was far into the future.
November 22, 2024
A good book. Enjoyable read for me. Trope was friends to lovers, but they were friends who wanted each other for the first time they met. So because of that, there wasn't a slow burn and everything happened fast. I didn't mind the pregnancy trope, I actually liked it. Sebastian really tried to be worthy of her. And everything was cute. And I didn't like smut to continue for a few chapters. But overall it was a good read and I enjoyed reading it.
July 1, 2025
I could not put this down! I loved the little tidbits we got of Sebastian in the previous book and when I found out the second book was going to be him and Willow, I knew I had to read it. I’m usually not a fan of friends to lovers, but this one was so well written.
January 1, 2026
Ok tbh Sebastian PISSED ME OFF in the beginning. His back and forth and hot and cold was exhausting and I wasn’t even Willow. I felt so bad for her going through that. I love how the story came together in the end and how Willow was able to fight her demons.
August 31, 2024
The way I could not put this book down is no joke. Ria Wilde never fails! The spice, banter, plot everything is 1000/1000!
September 24, 2024
Sebastian—best friend, businessman, mercenary—doesn’t believe he deserves the life of a normal man, burdened by the dangers he’s entangled in. At least, that’s what he thought before he met Red, or Willow as you may know her. She has her own set of gifts, one of which is theft—the way she stole Sebastian’s heart and turned his life upside down is nothing short of a cruel magic trick.
The banter and tension at the beginning of this book were fantastic. Both characters wrestled with their urges, uncertain of each other’s true feelings, hesitant to disrupt the friendship they’d grown so comfortable in. But once the sparks began to fly and the lines between friendship and something more started to blur—so much so that they disappeared altogether—their resistance crumbled, and the fire between them burned bright and hot.
We got to know more about Willow, not just as Olivia’s best friend, but as a woman in her own right—an heiress with abandonment issues and a fear of not being good enough. Her growth and insecurities were portrayed with authenticity. On the other hand, Sebastian’s fear of weakness, especially when it came to protecting the woman he loved, weighed heavily on him due to the dangerous life he leads. His internal struggle between hesitation and selfishness was palpable. All these powerful emotions culminated in a wonderful love story about acceptance, self-love, and triumph.
While I firmly believe that babies belong in the epilogue, this book centers heavily on pregnancy— it also explores Willow’s fear that her difficult childhood will come back to haunt her, and Sebastian’s need to adjust his life so that protecting his family becomes his top priority. If Dark romance, mafia themes, kidnapping and accidental pregnancies sound like your type of read this is the book for you.
The banter and tension at the beginning of this book were fantastic. Both characters wrestled with their urges, uncertain of each other’s true feelings, hesitant to disrupt the friendship they’d grown so comfortable in. But once the sparks began to fly and the lines between friendship and something more started to blur—so much so that they disappeared altogether—their resistance crumbled, and the fire between them burned bright and hot.
We got to know more about Willow, not just as Olivia’s best friend, but as a woman in her own right—an heiress with abandonment issues and a fear of not being good enough. Her growth and insecurities were portrayed with authenticity. On the other hand, Sebastian’s fear of weakness, especially when it came to protecting the woman he loved, weighed heavily on him due to the dangerous life he leads. His internal struggle between hesitation and selfishness was palpable. All these powerful emotions culminated in a wonderful love story about acceptance, self-love, and triumph.
While I firmly believe that babies belong in the epilogue, this book centers heavily on pregnancy— it also explores Willow’s fear that her difficult childhood will come back to haunt her, and Sebastian’s need to adjust his life so that protecting his family becomes his top priority. If Dark romance, mafia themes, kidnapping and accidental pregnancies sound like your type of read this is the book for you.
September 20, 2024
Sebastian and Willow have my heart😭🫶🏼
September 20, 2024
it was good and short. nothing out of the ordinary.
November 12, 2024
Sebastian and willow are the best ever! Adore them ♥️
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