Sardonic Burn

by Kat King

What should have been the night I took out the enemy became the inferno that scorched my soul.

When I killed the heir of the De Santis family, I didn't know how much it would cost me. It was like I played the devil's game and had no chance of winning.

The devil came in the form of Hudson De Santis, a man who wants to see me dead, a man who will stop at nothing to see me bleed.

But when we're forced to work together, everything seems to start changing. Even my dark, tainted heart starts beating again.

Now, I find myself at a crossroad which would determine the rest of my life.

Do I allow the devil to consume me whole or do I burn him to the ground before he gets the chance to put shackles around my heart?

And whichever path I choose, I'm bound to lose everything.

Genres: Dark Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Mafia Romance, Dark, Romance, Crime, Adult

417 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 4, 2024

Reviews

[Adiba(currently crying over exams)]

Finally Reading something 😭😭😭 yayayayyyy
GOD I MISSED READING SM skskskskkrkkskksksks 😭 😭
Can believe i haven't read read any book in 2025?!? like 17 days ARE ALOT (f u exams 🔪)
Anw I'm backkk😾💪🏼 gonna read lots and lots now

I've heard good things about this book + what better way to start my reading year than reading an enemies to lovers 💁🏻‍♀️????!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably one of the better enemies to lovers with an actual plot.

- Mafia
- Enemies to lovers.
- Forced Proximity (working together)
- Black Cat/ Golden Retriever.
- Both Morally Grey.
- Breeding Kink.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was probably one of the greatest enemies to lovers book that I have read in such a long time and I fucking devoured it. Stabby FMC are always one of my favorites and I was OBSESSED with Noelle. I fell in love with her from the very start. On top on Noelle being stabby af and throughout everything she had gone through, the revenge was honestly my favorite part. I just love female rage 🥰

I don’t want to give too much away but holy fuck I really did enjoy this book and it’s definitely going on my tops reads list for this year FOR SURE. The whole plot itself was really fucking good and it kept me so entertained. And the way they hated each other ?? I loved every second of it !! Their banter was perfect and the tension was everything.

HUDSON BABY THE MAN THAT YOU ARE ! He was perfect in every single aspect. He was down bad for her and wanted to kill her at the same time like ?? I just loved every single thing about him honestly. AND NOW I GET TO READ ABOUT THEIR KIDS !?!? IM SO READY !

5 ★
*assassins
*revenge plot
*enemies to lovers
*female rage
*stabby fmc

[Ruchita · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, this book was simply astounding, mind-blowing, swoon-worthy, and magnificent.😩
I completely took pleasure in devouring this book. Everything about it, such as the banter, chemistry, spice, and sass, was exceptional. ❤️‍🔥
I simply couldn't resist devouring it completely in a single sitting.

 
I really admire Noelle. She is the ultimate boss-bitch.😭🤌
She is dangerous, clever, tough, and humorous. Hudson was completely enamoured with her. She is the type of female character that I enjoy reading about. ❤️‍🔥

I'm not sure if I want to be with her or be her.😩😭

 
Hudson is the type of person who makes you fall head over heels the moment you meet him. 👀😭I immediately fell in love with him. I fell even more in love with him because of his icy exterior. The line "Your blood is mine and mine only" made me swoon.😩😩🤌
Each time they interacted, I was kicking my feet and giggling. Despite his hatred for her, he was unable to control his attraction for her.❤️‍🔥
 
She killed his sibling when they first met. 👀 He stabbed her in the thighs during their second encounter.👀
She gave him a scar on the third, and he returned the favour by giving her a scar of the same kind.🙂‍↔️🙂‍↔️

They're the true definition of the Enemies to Lovers trope.❤️‍🔥

And the Epilogue made me cry happy tears.😭😭💕

[emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

loved the plot, hated the writing. also why did noah lowkey fall off towards the end, like what happened to her core character traits?

[Kaitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ★

I'll carry all of your burdens, all of your pain. It will be mine to shoulder so that you never have to experience something like this ever again.

I've read all of Kat's books and to date, this one has to be my absolute favourite. The fact that the FMC was so strong and a badass was awesome, and that she didn't take any nonsense from anyone, especially Hudson! There was so much fiery chemistry between them, along with humour and hate-to-love moments. The book was the perfect balance of spice and substance, and I was hooked the entire time, especially with the major twist at the end! It was truly an enjoyable read.

What To Expect:
⨳ Dark MF Romance
⨳ Enemies to Lovers
⨳ Mafia
⨳ Rival Families
⨳ Hate to Love
⨳ "She's mine only to kill"

Do you want me to admit that it's because, despite hating your very existence, it's that same existence that's been keeping me alive? Do you want me to tell you how fucking insane it makes me to think that in a few weeks, I'll have to kill you? Do you want me to fucking admit that I'd rather bite the bullet myself than pierce it through your skull?

❤︎ ARC provided in exchange for an honest review ❤︎

[littlesmuttyone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just wow the enemies to lovers was the best I have ever read I'm not even kidding Noelle is such tough and fierce fmc she is the kind of woman I love to read about her humor, her love for her family and she isn't weak .Hudson I fell in love with him right away especially when they would say they hate eachother so it made it that much better .I have so much dislike and more towards Dylan I do not like him at all .I won't say too much cause you will understand why.

The spicy scenes were so damn good .this is now one of my favorite books Noelle and Hudson love them ans Cecilia is such amazing bestfriend I would love know more of her and her future

[Lys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sardonic Burn by Kat King

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ 🌶️

“I should stop, but he’s looking so pretty for me that the monster inside of me doesn’t want to let him go.”

Holy sh*t, this was such a good read. The enemies to lovers trope went HARD in this book. The slow burn was the perfect amount of burn. Noelle is the kind of FMC you dream to be. She’s a baddie who can take care of business. Hudson’s mouth? F I L T H Y.
Honestly, I might just be pregnant after reading the spicy scenes.

I enjoyed every chapter. I was not bored at all. Kat King kept me on my toes the entire time. I’m excited to continue reading the rest of her books!

“I fucking hate you, too. But my c*ck seems to have taken a liking to you, and who am I not to indulge in his wishes? So be a good girl and finish what you started, Noelle.”

As always, please check the TWs.
Your mental health matters 🖤

Read if you like:
🖤 Enemies to Lovers
🗡️ Trained Assassins
🖤 Breeding kink
🗡️ Morally Gray FMC & MMC
🖤 Blood Play
🗡️ Touch her/him and dîe

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I finally got time to read Noelle and Hudsons book

And OMG I am so glad I read it. They are the OG couple and I am obsessed with their love story

Enemies to lovers, forbidden romance, they absolutely hate each other in the beginning but the turning point is freaking on point

Just like every book Kat writes I was hooked from page 1. The story flows so well so its easy to follow. It has action, tension and its oh so good and spicey

If you havent read any of Kats books trust me you need to, and this is the perfect book to start with but then again if you have read any of her books and not this one all I can ask is why? Like what are you doing? You absolutely need to read it like yesterday

[landonslilah · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh god i don’t even know where to start this book was everything i needed to keep my sanity intact

noelle my precious precious killer girl i saw so much of myself in her it’s crazy the way she’s so strong and guarded with her emotions yet soft at the right moments :( the way she was with hudson her relationship with her father god everything about her is so dear to me

hudson hudson LITTLE DE SANTIS MY MAN he was so scrumptious all throughout the book and the way he was so patient with noelle and her stubbornness 😖😖 his weakness really is noelle and it’s just so endearing

1000/10 #dni my people

[Yvonne Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hudson can take all of these stars 🙌🏽 He literally went hard throughout the book!

One of the many things I could not get behind was how Noelle was written to be a badass, and then she was a Damsel 🤦🏾‍♀️
*can not have it all boo!

I also could not get past the fact that some information was mentioned and not followed through on ...
*like the missing _____! Why even mention it!?

I also could not get behind Noelle's naive behavior when it came to Dylan. Like come on!

Hudson carried this book ... and I was here for it 👏🏽

[romanceafterdusk · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝙙𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙜𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚? 𝙞 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙖 𝙜𝙪𝙣 𝙛𝙪𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙩 𝙢𝙮𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙞 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩.“

ARC REVIEW

5🔥

oh my god, where do i even start with sardonic burn? this book is an absolute rollercoaster of enemies-to-lovers goodness, mafia-style. noelle is hands-down one of my favorite female leads—she’s fierce, totally badass, and doesn’t take crap from anyone, especially hudson, who’s supposed to be her mortal enemy but… let’s be real, he’s everything. the whole “i want to kill you but also i might want to f*ck you” vibe between them? perfect.

the tension between these two is off the charts. there’s hate, there’s lust, there’s banter that had me laughing out loud, and then the spice… HOT. the way they fight each other and fight their feelings just builds everything up until you’re practically begging for them to finally give in. and when they do? let’s just say hudson and noelle don’t hold back. it’s intense, steamy, and everything you want in a mafia romance.

the plot itself is full of twists, with these two families at each other’s throats, both trying to protect their legacy and get revenge. noelle’s on a mission to take hudson down, and he’s no less ruthless—but watching them slowly realize that maybe they don’t *actually* want to destroy each other was so satisfying. oh, and the ending? let’s just say i’ll be thinking about it for a while. if you’re into dark romance with tons of tension, a kickass heroine, and a twisty, hate-to-love story, this book is for you!

thank you @authorkatking for this ARC 🖤

tropes:

* enemies to lovers
* morally gray fmc
* obsesses mmc
* touch her & die
* family rivalry
* forced proximity
* somno
* breeding kink

[Stacey L Sawyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book hase great storyline,and damn sure wasn't ready for the twist in the end.
I love Hudson and Noelle together,they were absolutely hilarious with their banter, and constantly reminder how much they hate each others!
Yes, its REAL enemies to lovers! with a whole lot of heat and sharp everything.. sharp tongues, sharp eyes and sharp umm.. toys..

This book is full of action, spice, and banter. There are also some angsty moments (my favorite) with a HAHA, you deserved that—to the actual villains of the story

[Sam B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noelle and Hudson are the literal definition of mortal enemies to the spiciest lovers. The banter between them was such a buildup!
I absolutely love Noelle and how badass she is. I love seeing Hudson and Noelle navigate through their feelings for each other and how much they fight it.
Two families who have a multi generational feud and absolutely hate each other. But when someone tries to step in and take over territory from both sides, a truce is made. Forcing Noelle and Hudson to work together. So many twists and insults thrown. I absolutely devoured these two going at it.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW
So far, Noelle is like my spirit animal, and I love how she is written being able to see her character and the BANTER With Hudson so far has made me do a double take. I’m super excited to see what else happens this man, Hudson, claims to want to kill Noelle, but man, we know what’s going to do as a character because he is dominant but unexpectedly sweet, it happens. So I am IN LOVE with Hudson when it is necessary, which in this case after the kidnapped was a lot (WHICH I MELTED ) I have so many favorite quotes, or I was so drawn in, and I deep-dived from the chapters, and favorite quotes either are " Your blood is mine and mine only" & the end quotes of the second epilogue "Noelle Campbell is mine. Always and Forever". Like awe, wasn't she your enemy once? And then the storyline of enemies to lovers, I couldn't stop reading I enjoyed the part where Hudson and Noelle had sex for the first like what angry sex is beautiful in that chapter and then knowing her fiancee ended up wanting her and dead at that like dude you knew that yall weren't forever she WAS AND ALWAYS WILL BE HUDSON DESANTIS's girl. I love Noelle and Hudson's Dad when the epilogue happens and they have Arlo and Aria in awe they are too adorable and how they are as grandparents is just so cute.

I was kicking and gigging literally and figuratively like the spicy was on a whole level of, wow, I wish that was me I did a reread in the saw like, dude, The spice was hot and heavy, and so worth the read, and Hudson you made a girl feel something, but it was so good to read and also pictured in my head I was too happy.

Truly If you have never read Kat's books it is so worth it I love them ALL and the jokes and quotes that collected like coins because I enjoyed them a lot and did not want to forget them overall this book hit the soul and I loved it and enjoyed it.

[Kashish · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bend down and lick the blood that is smeared on her face.
OKAYYYYYYYYYYY
THIS IS SOMETHING 😭🤌🏻✨

“What the fuck are you staring at? Want to lick their blood off my body, too?”
Now that’s a tempting offer.
BROOOOOOOOO😭🤌🏻✨
THIS IS INSANE AND I LOVE THISSS!!!!!

“Why are you here?”
“I had nowhere else to go.”
OHHH🤌🏻✨💋

But who the fuck is that man sitting across from her? He’s holding her hand. He is holding her fucking hand.
JEALOUSY MUCH MISTER!??
😭✨😫

If I had known how pretty he’d look with a facial scar, I would’ve given him one long ago.
GIRLLLL!???
Do you hear yourself!??
I mean, you’re enemies!!!
😭😫😏

For the first time, I deliberately closed the distance between Hudson and me. It was an impulse I couldn’t control. Every inch of my body yearned to be suffocated in his scent.
GET YOU GIRL, GET YOUUUU!!!!

Quickly, she sits down in Niko’s chair and gulps down the drink from his glass. It drips down her chin and if we were alone, I would’ve licked it off her. Noelle always looks so… edible. And tastes sweet, too.
GET A GRIP HUDSON!!! SHE AIN’T RUNNING ANYWHERE!!! 😭🤌🏻

“Your life is mine, Noelle. No one else gets to kill you.”
SAYING THIS IN FRONT HEIR FATHER’s AND HER BROTHER!???😫😫😫

I’m being dragged behind her like a dog; all I’m lacking is a collar and good barking skills.
HIS HUMOUR!??? DEAD😭😏🤣🤣

If we weren’t in the positions we are, I’d die to have this man for myself.
GO FOR IT NOELLE😌😏!!!!!

Dylan is trying to console me, yet he’s the one in pain. I’m too numb, too speechless to comprehend the situation for what it truly is.
I have a feeling that Dylan might be faking it🤣🥲😭

My skin crawls at the thought, and I already have a gut feeling which one is true.
MY GUESSES WERE TRUEEE🤣😭😭
DYLAN FAKED THOSE WHIP LASH WOUNDS💃🥲

“Get in the fucking car, Noelle.”
“No.”
“I’m losing my patience here.”
“Ask me nicely.”
“Your Highness, would you do the honor of listening to your humble servant and getting inside of this lowly carriage? I shall get down on my knees and beg for your cooperation.”
OH GODDD😭✨😫🤌🏻

His tattoos look exquisite, and I see a new one has made an appearance. It’s just above his heart, though I can’t quite understand the design. The design is awfully familiar. I roll up the long shirt, exposing my inner thigh. During a very hazy night, drunk Noelle thought it was a marvelous idea to get a tattoo. The choice was made by the artist who found the situation hilarious, and I ended up with a snake, its tongue pointing right toward my vagina. Crazy times. When in the world did he get to see the tattoo, memorize it, and get the exact same one done? Especially the crimson eyes and tongue? That fucking creep.
WHAT DO THEY WANT ME TO DO!??????
DIE FUCKING LONELY!??? BECAUSE MY FAMILY HAS NO SUCH SWORN NEMESIS AND ALL THAT EXTRA ORDINARY SHIT!???

“You’ll get yourself killed, and what am I supposed to do then?”
“I don’t know. Celebrate?”
“Or get revenge on the people who killed you.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Who knows?”
ARGHHHHH😫😭

“Are you fishing for something, Noelle? Do you want me to say that I did it so I’d have something of yours permanently on my body? Do you want me to admit that it’s because, despite hating your very existence, it’s that same existence that’s been keeping me alive? Do you want me to tell you how fucking insane it makes me to think that in a few weeks, I’ll have to kill you? Do you want me to fucking admit that I’d rather bite the bullet myself than pierce it through your skull?”
😭😭🤌🏻

“There are things more important than me, Hudson.”
“Not to me.”
“There should be.”
“But there won’t be.”
I-😭😫🤌🏻

God, please, if you exist, just keep her safe until I find her. And I will find her, even if it’s the last thing I do. Noelle Campbell is the most important person in my life, and I’ll be damned if a motherfucker like Dylan takes her away from me. No one will ever dare to lay their hands on what’s mine.
🦋✨

To make matters even worse, whenever I have a few minutes of clarity, all I think about is Hudson. He will come for me. I know he will.
😫😭🤌🏻🦋

“The alliance will come to an end, and the hunting game between the De Santis’ and the Campbells will resume. Can you do that?”
“No chance in hell. That woman will wear my ring as soon as humanly possible.”
I LOVE HIMMMM🦋✨


Dylan tightens his grip on her hair, and Noelle uses the opportunity to slide her head to the side, the blade piercing through her throat. Blood starts gushing out immediately, and her eyes close. My gun fires, and Dylan falls behind her in screams. I’ll never forget this scene. I’ll never forget the moment Noelle lost all will to live.
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

“Fucked up? Fucked up? Noelle, I had to physically hold your head attached to your shoulders so you wouldn't die. You were bleeding out in my fucking arms for twenty minutes before the paramedics got there. I even thought you were dead because you were so fucking pale, and you were barely breathing. You slit your own throat in front of me. You fucking stared at me while the blade cut your skin. You fucking wanted to die in front of me. So, no, fucked up doesn’t cut it. Do you know what was going through my head at the time? I had a gun fucking prepared to shoot myself if you died because life without you was a life I didn’t want. I blamed myself for not getting to you faster, for not noticing it was Dylan faster, for not fucking protecting you on time. I fucking slept by your side for weeks, only to be pushed away like a dirty after thought”
🤌🏻😭😫OH TO BE LOVED LIKE THIS

“Will you just let me take care of you? I love pampering you.”
“Then give me money. That’s the best way to pamper me.”
“I’ll give you millions if you want.”
“I do. Thank you.”
THIS IS JUST SO ME🤣😭

She fists her hand and slams it right into his balls. I wince. This serves as a reminder never to piss her off.
🤣🤣🤣I LOVE HIS HUMOUR 🤌🏻🤌🏻

“Any last words?”
“Fuck you, bitch.”
Noelle chuckles. “I’ll be fucking him.” She points with her thumb in my direction, and I grin at the motherfucker.”
😫😭😭

“I hope this isn’t a proposal.”
“Maybe it is.”
“It better not be,” she grits out. “I’m a woman who values money. If you think I’ll say yes in the middle of nowhere, without a ring, you’re out of your damn mind. If you want me to carry your last name, you better step up your game and actually ask me to marry you at a suitable location.”
🤌🏻😫😭



Just read in the book closure, Arlo’s getting a duet book💃💃💃
And I don’t know what to think about this!!?
I am excited!!!
Jealous!!!
Nervous!!
And what so ever!!!
May be I’ll try reading my first second generation book with Kat King’s books!!!

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

ok i couldn’t put this book down
it was one of the better written dark romances ive read for sure!
some minor cringe dirty talk and the breeding pregnancy comments were making me ill but apart from that
really fun read!
feel like the dialogue character behaviours and writing got a little sloppy towards the end but it’s ok
like i act like the last 2 chapters didn’t happen
or anything after she was in the hospital
lost a star from bc of the ending
haha
i miss noelle tho can we get a prequel

[Booksta · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗯𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁, 𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸


Listen… when I started Sardonic Burn, I thought I was mentally stable.
I really did. But Kat King said, “Oh? You thought you were fine? Let me destroy you real quick.”

This book feels like being slapped, kissed, threatened, and emotionally resurrected all within three chapters — and honestly? I ate it up like a gremlin.

We start with a murder, which is already my love language in dark romance. She kills the heir of the De Santis family, thinking it would be her big victory moment. WRONG. The universe laughed, lit a match, and said: “Let’s make this personal.”

Enter: HUDSON DE SANTIS.
A man who really should come with a warning label:
⚠️ “May cause elevated heart rate, obsessive thoughts, and violent attraction.”

He wants her dead.
He wants her bleeding.
He wants revenge served fresh, hot, and possibly shirtless.
(That last part is my interpretation, but I stand by it.)

From the moment they share page space, it’s pure unhinged electricity.
They snap.
They threaten.
They glare.
They hate.

…And then suddenly I’m sitting here like,
“Wait… why is this hate feeling kinda spicy?”
😳🔥

The forced teamwork trope had me SCREAMING.
You cannot put two people who want to murder each other in a room and expect them to behave.
They did NOT behave.
They bickered like divorced assassins who still low-key want to make out.

At some point, her “dark, tainted heart” starts beating again — which is cute, because MINE stopped functioning around chapter five and never recovered.

But what really got me???
The crossroad moment.
That emotional chokehold.
That “choose your destiny, but both choices will ruin you” energy.
I sat there clutching my chest like a Victorian widow, whispering,
“Girl… SAME.”

Do you let the devil consume you whole?
Or do you burn him to the ground before he chains up your heart?

Personally, I was like:
“LET HIM CONSUME YOU, BESTIE. LIVE A LITTLE.”
But maybe that’s why I shouldn’t be giving anyone life advice.

What I loved most:
✨ The tension thick enough to slice with a combat knife
✨ The morally grey deliciousness of both characters
✨ The emotional burn (pun intended)
✨ The banter that made me giggle and kick my feet
✨ The plot twists that had me inhaling air like a dramatic telenovela auntie

By the last page, I was staring into the void, reevaluating my taste in men, my taste in villains, and frankly, my whole personality.

Kat King wrote this like she wanted to ruin me — and yes, I will be sending her a handwritten thank you card.

[Surakhshaa Raja · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've rated it 3.5 stars just for the excellent vibes. However, I did have a few issues with the book.

Let's get it out of the way: I loved the characters and their personalities. BUT the beloved traits were quite inconsistent. Noelle was portrayed as this badass heiress initially, but then she turned into this pathetic crybaby mess during her confrontations with Hudson. While I get that it was probably done to convey his intimidating and dangerous persona, it just ended up minimising Noelle's character.

Also, imo, the pacing of the plot was kinda off. A plot point is mentioned in a chapter, then it's basically ignored for a long while, and it pops up out of nowhere many chapters later. Prominent example: Noelle and her parental issues.

I loved the couple, but it did feel like the "love" between Noelle and Hudson was not properly shown. We have quite many scenes of them hating and eyeballing each other. That's just lust though. And then they f*ck. A LOT. There's a bit of jealousy and saving each other's lives. Then somehow they end up falling for each other..? Maybe I'm nitpicking it too much, but I did not come across any scene that would actually "show" them falling in love. Personally, I'm not a fan of FMCs suddenly changing their minds and wanting to have kids, especially due to the MMCs' influence. Not a fan of rough s*x while the FMC is still healing from severe injuries and trauma either, but I suppose it's all good since she seemed to enjoy it.

Honourable mention: I hated Dylan from the beginning, so when Hudson thought he was suspicious and Noelle was stuck in denial, my mind immediately jumped to the conclusion that Dylan is the antagonist of the story. When the grand reveal of the Silencer was made, it was kinda a buzzkill. The author mentioned the og Silencer had a child and then it was just ignored..? Or was Dylan the child? Was it mentioned and I can't recall? Either way, it was pretty anticlimactic. The author made it too obvious from the beginning imo.

I found some other minor issues as well, but these were the ones that irked me the most. That said, I did devour the whole book in a few hours. The MCs certainly had sizzling chemistry. The plot was eventually fully wrapped up, albeit not as neatly as I would've liked. If you're on the fence about reading it, definitely give it a chance.

XOXO

[Melody Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why is no one talking about this??

Listen…I would give this a 4.75 🌟 (especially given what I’m about to say below) BUT the vibes were too immaculate. I’m giving this a 5 because of the vibes. This is EXACTLY what I was in the mood to read, and it just HIT. I love Hudson + Noelle, their chemistry was PALPABLE and FLAMMABLE.

The spice was written in the way I prefer - there was a lot of external dialogue rather than each characters introspective POVs. Hudson’s mouth is in my top tier, I STG. So many annotations, I couldn’t keep track.

NOW…

Did I want more backstory and depth from Hudson and Noelle? Yes. I think they should’ve gotten two books, selfishly, because I want more from them + their story!!

Did I want more after the proper ending (before getting to the epilogues)? Also, yes. I wanted to see how he proposed. I wanted emotional conversation (or any context, since Noelle isn’t a super vulnerable person) about how they recovered their trauma (since both have their own perspective). Since she got pregnant right away, though, I see why we didn’t get more. Which is a bummer, BUT I’m happy for their happily ever after and know their children’s books are coming (EEK).

Did I want more context on how their lives looked after their mission, given their fathers both stepping down from their positions and made peace with each other? Like, how Hudson + Noelle are their heirs ? - you guessed it, YES. But since it wasn’t mafia, I get why that wasn’t super important to divulge into.

Do I wish we got more of Cecilia, Lucas, Niko, and Lyla?? YES

All that to say, I still really loved this and would re-read. Potential new fave author alert, maybe??

Also, FUCK DYLAN. I knew he was fishy. Glad he got what he deserved.

[nat ⋆˙⟡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

mommy...uh Mommy.... Naomi Campbell welcome to the club of Nathalie's bad bitch fmcs.

after reading Carnival and getting introduced to Naomi Campbell and Hudson DeSantis I had to read about them bc the crumbs that they were giving me...

so you're an unprofessional serial killer and you are also the heir to your family's empire so he sends you on a mission. you are taking down the heir of your enemy and your father sends you bc you unlike the fastest. you go undercover as a blonde bc he happens to love blondes. you then take him to a warehouse and you torture him and slit his throat. five minutes later his younger brother shows up as you're leaving so you make a statement.

not only did you unlike the heir to your enemies, but in the same breath you find out that your brother and him had something going on and they were trying to end the feud between the two families. you then end up having a common enemy so your family and the DeSantis' go into a truce and then you end up getting freaky with the brother. HOT

the banter between these two had me laughing out loud while I was reading this. I mean she kept calling him little desantis and I thought that was the cutest thing ever bc she would always throw her age at his face bc she was a little older than him. the tension and the push and pull between these two characters was so delicious and I mean as always, I never see the plot twist coming and I DID. NOT. SEE. THIS. ONE. COMING.

this was so good. a true enemies to lovers like TRUE ENEMIES TO LOVERS.

tropes:
- enemies to lovers
- forced proximity
- family rivalry
- she's a professional unaliver
- obsessed mmc
- morally grey fmc

5 ☆

[Debleena · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am seeing a pattern with this author. She writes her stories with these badass kicking ass FMCs but once the MMCs are introduced, these seemingly combative females turn to trembling fearful amateurs. It's like the author doesn't want the fmcs to be in par with the MMCs.... I mean it's okay if you want the MMC to be superior in every way, but then don't start your female characters description with how she is pro in combats, in arms, in knives, can kick men twice or thrice her size. It basically increases the hopes of the readers who want to read books about actual ass kicking female leads, only for the hope to die a painful death. Noelle also is shown like this ass kicking female leads who can take down killers, or group of killers single handedly but freezes in fear by the mere use of knife on her by Hudson or when she is choked by him. Added to that, is how she is shown again and again to have low pain tolerance, and what initially started as us thinking that the FMC is a badass pro killer turns into knowing that she is a wannabe amateur killer.

I never like these sorts of rubbish badass females who can't be even deemed to be called pseudo badasses. The author should set her mind properly what to depict, a badass female lead who is able to go toe to toe with the males, or badass females who are not as skilled as the males. Trying to showcase pro female killers initially but then destroying their characters just to show case how superior the male is, is atrocious and honestly a betrayal to those readers who had high hopes for the story. I think I will steer clear from this author's works from now on.

[Kashish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know where to start because I never thought my first read of the year would be this good. THEY ARE MY PARENTS, THAT'S IT.

Read this book if you love TRUE ENEMIES TO LOVERS because they served it. Them stabbing each other and the dagger to the throat moment. AHH, I DIED!!! And pls the funniest part? Her saying "Find someone who cares" to him when he came all injured to her apartment and said I had nowhere else to go.

Now coming to the FMC, she's one of the most relatable characters for me, WHEN I TELL YOU I WAS A SOBBING MESS IN THE LAST FEW CHAPTERS when she was expressing all her emotions to her dad. Damn if I had the courage to say the same lines to my parents but whatever. Have you heard the phrase 'stronger the person deeper the pain'? yes, that's for my baby Noelle. AND TO ANYONE OUT THERE I WILL NOT LISTEN TO ANYONE TALK SHIT ABOUT HER.

And where the f*ck should I start about my MAN Hudson, he was the whole package. He did all he could for his woman and I will never forget anything about this man. He did all the things, from kidnapping a man and letting her kill him, and if start telling about everything about what he did for her it's going to be spoiler so let's cut to the chase where I am forcing you to read this book you won't regret.

AND PLEASE THE NUMBER OF GOOSEBUMP MOMENTS IN THIS BOOK. ALL THE QUOTES, DIALOGUES, SCENES. I ADMIT I CRIED WHEN I SAW 'THE END' AND ALSOO PLS THE EPILOGUE IS ONE OF THE CUTEST THING YOU'LL EVER READ.

[Britt (bookishmombritt) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was enemies to lovers' perfection and I devoured it. I feel like most enemies become lovers at like 20%, but with this one it was like 40%, and I loved it a true enemies to lovers. I knew at 18% this was going to be a 5-star read for me. The banter between these two was amazing.

Noelle and Hudson's families have been feuding for 5 generations, and they are both a family of assassins. Noelle was a total bada$$ and had no fears. She is the heir for her family and for good reason she was unhinged, and I loved it. Hudson was also unhinged but not as unhinged as Noelle, some things she did shocked him lol. I loved listening to his inner dialogue as he wrestled with his feelings for Noelle.

Noelle kills Husdon's brother, but after an enemy tries to take over their territory, they are forced to work together and that's when the sparks start to fly. Neither one of them takes crap from the other and the tension and banter really was top tier, exactly what you want from an enemeies to lovers.

I loved the mystery going on in the background that they were trying to solve and even though I figured out who the bad guy was about halfway through the book, it didn't take away from the suspense and action of the story. This was my first book by this author, and she did not disappoint. I am looking forward to reading the follow-up duet about their son.

[MorallyDarkReadz · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌑 Book Review: Sardonic Burn by Kat King
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Kat King doesn’t write love stories—she writes descent. And Sardonic Burn is a slow, twisted fall into obsession, violence, and the kind of ruin you crave in the dark. This book scorches.

In a world where trust is a weapon and love is laced with danger, Sardonic Burn introduces us to characters who are beautifully broken and morally scorched. The dynamic between the leads is fire and gasoline—explosive, cruel, and impossible to look away from. Their chemistry isn’t sweet; it’s sadistic, feral, and raw. The kind of connection that hurts—and heals—in the most twisted ways.

✨ Tropes:
• Enemies to lovers
• Captor/captive
• Trauma bonding
• Revenge & retribution
• Psychosexual tension that burns through the page

King’s prose cuts deep—lyrical and violent, poetic and brutal. She doesn’t just write smut; she writes agony with spice. And the spice? Unhinged, raw, 5/5—no vanilla in sight. Consent is murky, the darkness is intentional, and the payoff is so beautifully damaged it stays with you long after the last page.

[Danniimood · Rating 5 out of 5]

'𝙸'𝚕𝚕 𝚋𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚟𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚘𝚏 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚢, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙸 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚊𝚜𝚙𝚎𝚌𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝. 𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚛𝚎 𝚏𝚊𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚑𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝚖𝚎 𝚞𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚢'𝚛𝚎 𝚜𝚘 𝚊𝚋𝚜𝚘𝚛𝚋𝚎𝚍 𝚋𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚛 𝚑𝚊𝚝𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚠𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚜𝚎𝚎 𝚖𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚐.'

"𝗜 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲, 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆, 𝗜'𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗲𝗳𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺."

Two rival mafia houses. Two people put to the job of taking out one another. Noelle and Hudson.

Usually, you don't see a female lead with mafia romances like we seen Noelle. I am here for the female villain era. I adored these two together. Their hatred towards each other ends up turning from hatred lust to love.

Noelle is used to not allowing herself to fall for any guy. She is set to be married within an arranged marriage. She is set in her ways. Ridden by anger for the family who took her aunt away from her, she vows for revenge.

I absolutely chuckled at the ending, two men who used to hold a great hatred for each other are in agreeance for their grandchildren.

[Ericka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Umm hello, with less than a hundred rating on kindle I was adamant to read this book. But let me just tell you, Noelle the fmc is so so great! She’s as tough as they come super bad ass and strong willed. But with that being said she was also soft, she carried a lot of insecurities despite the hard exteriors she shows people. She was in a lot of stress due to the pressure from her family to be the best. That’s when my boy Hudson comes in, he was so AMAZING. I thought he was gonna be an ass hole for the whole shebang but sure enough he was so entertaining. He was goofy and funny but also scary. This book was so good took me a couple hours to finish it I wouldn’t put the book down! I love that they were hard assassins but with each other they willing to have a conversation when problems arose and I loved that Noelle got over her pride and just let it happen. They were such a great couple together. I love the story it was so good. I def recommend!

[My_book_obsession25 · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review

My tird book by you Kat and i enjoy myself really much reading it!!

Here we have
𝙍𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙡𝙨 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮’𝙨
𝙈𝙖𝙛𝙞𝙖 𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚
𝙀𝙣𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨

Noell Campbell and Hudson De Santi two heirs who seek each other blood!
But when they are forced to work together everything is changing, and the cause to kill each other is forgotten by the lust and the burning chemistry between them.
□□□□□□□□□
This book hase great storyline,and damn sure wasn't ready for the twist in the end.
I love Hudson and Noelle together,they were absolutely hilarious with their banter, and constantly reminder how much they hate each others!🤣
□□□□□□□□□□□□
This is for sure book for everyone who like spicy,and damn crazy characters who will die to spill each other blood,and lick it lol🤣😌

But have question Kat dose the hacker friend will have book??👀

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

6/5 stars

I legit don't have anything I disliked from this book. It is so fucking amazing and finally knowing their past is awesome because I've only read their kid's books. This might just be one of my top 3 Kat King books now. What a great book. I love them so much and the spice??? HELLO??? One of the best spice everrrr aaaahhhh <33

The love I have for this family is crazy. After reading this, it made me realise why they're such amazing parents to Arlo and Aria and man these two sure are lucky. I wish to erase my memories and read all of Kat King's book IN ORDER. Like to read this before Arlo or Aria's books would be a great fucking experience. Would definitely recommend EVERYONE to read this book before any of her other books if you wanna have a proper experience but mind you I haven't read the divine virtue(?) series.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noelle. Absolutely loved her, she was so fun to reas about, I just loved how unhinged she was.
“I’ll be the villain of his story, and I love every aspect of that.”

“You tattooed my teeth?” He gives me a goofy grin. “Of course. It’s my favorite tattoo.”

Hudson. Protective, unhinged and crazy about her.
“I can’t understand why, but one thing is evident. Seeing Noelle with this motherfucker is rather unsettling.”

“Noelle always looks so edible. And tastes sweet, too. She’s too pretty, I might fall for her.”

“She’s the most dangerous woman I’ve ever encountered, and each encounter makes my head spin.” !!!

“Good. Because you’re mine, baby. You’ve been mine for a long time now. You just didn’t realize it yet.” !!!