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Mafia Bound #1
Deadly Little Sparrow
Is there such thing as love at first bar fight?
I may be small and pretty, but what I lack in intimidation factor, I make up for in violence.I made a vow five years ago that the motorcycle club responsible for my brother’s death would pay the price, and I’m finally ready to collect. May God have mercy on the men who hurt my brother, because I don’t plan to.
Accidentally breaking the nose of the deadliest man in the city wasn’t my best move. Xaviaro Saviano, trigger man for the Moretti Crime Family... and now my own personal stalker. But if I have to go through him to deliver well-deserved justice, so be it.
As strange as it sounds, Xaviaro seems to want to help me more than he wants to hurt me. I can’t shake the man no matter what I do. Threatening him feels like foreplay, tying him up only turns him on… I could play nice, but that’s never been my strong suit.
I’d be lying if I said he wasn’t starting to grow on me, especially when he calls me his Deadly Little Sparrow from his knees. I’ve never met a man who could handle me, let alone one who can’t stop begging me for more.
Can love and revenge live in the same heart? I guess there’s only one way to find out…
I may be small and pretty, but what I lack in intimidation factor, I make up for in violence.I made a vow five years ago that the motorcycle club responsible for my brother’s death would pay the price, and I’m finally ready to collect. May God have mercy on the men who hurt my brother, because I don’t plan to.
Accidentally breaking the nose of the deadliest man in the city wasn’t my best move. Xaviaro Saviano, trigger man for the Moretti Crime Family... and now my own personal stalker. But if I have to go through him to deliver well-deserved justice, so be it.
As strange as it sounds, Xaviaro seems to want to help me more than he wants to hurt me. I can’t shake the man no matter what I do. Threatening him feels like foreplay, tying him up only turns him on… I could play nice, but that’s never been my strong suit.
I’d be lying if I said he wasn’t starting to grow on me, especially when he calls me his Deadly Little Sparrow from his knees. I’ve never met a man who could handle me, let alone one who can’t stop begging me for more.
Can love and revenge live in the same heart? I guess there’s only one way to find out…
7 pages, Audible Audio
First published June 7, 2024
862 people are currently reading
2041 people want to read
About the author
K.M. Neuhold
99 books3,271 followersK.M.Neuhold has long since been a romance junkie. When she’s not writing she’s reading or spending time snuggling with her husky or her husband. She fell in love with M/M romance last year and hasn’t been able to turn back. There’s nothing she loves more than love in all its forms.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 390 reviews
June 10, 2024
I can't with how truly dreadful this book is. Neuhold has been more miss than hit with me for a long time, but I was hoping this series would be enjoyable. Ha!
I don't expect mafia stories to be realistic, but this one read like a fantasy set in some dystopian city where everyone is a degenerate. The mafia lends people money and throws dead bodies in a ravine. How do they turn a profit? Who knows since no one seems to pay them back.
They're apparently so powerful, everyone fears them. But they're the good guys too, protecting battered women and killing rapists. Sure, okay.
The BDSM came out of nowhere. Xaviaro allows Sparrow to break his nose, then immediately becomes Sparrow's boy. This element didn't fit and felt weird and cringey. I skipped every sex scene.
I couldn't stand Sparrow. He's cocky and arrogant, but has zero common sense. The way he mouthed off to the mafia boss was embarrassing, and the boss takes it all and smirks. Tony Soprano is rolling over in his grave, y'all.
I skimmed most of the second half. Nothing about this story is interesting. There's no tension, no intimacy, no real romance, no action, just a meandering plot and undeveloped characters.
Sparrow never even tells Xaviaro his real name.
Extra star for a few cute scenes.
I don't expect mafia stories to be realistic, but this one read like a fantasy set in some dystopian city where everyone is a degenerate. The mafia lends people money and throws dead bodies in a ravine. How do they turn a profit? Who knows since no one seems to pay them back.
They're apparently so powerful, everyone fears them. But they're the good guys too, protecting battered women and killing rapists. Sure, okay.
The BDSM came out of nowhere. Xaviaro allows Sparrow to break his nose, then immediately becomes Sparrow's boy. This element didn't fit and felt weird and cringey. I skipped every sex scene.
I couldn't stand Sparrow. He's cocky and arrogant, but has zero common sense. The way he mouthed off to the mafia boss was embarrassing, and the boss takes it all and smirks. Tony Soprano is rolling over in his grave, y'all.
I skimmed most of the second half. Nothing about this story is interesting. There's no tension, no intimacy, no real romance, no action, just a meandering plot and undeveloped characters.
Sparrow never even tells Xaviaro his real name.
Extra star for a few cute scenes.
August 2, 2024
⭐️ 5 stars ⭐️
Scary Mafia badass killer unravels with a single touch from his Sparrow, his Sir.
Was I expecting Xaviaro, stoic hitman/enforcer, to be a submissive and whimper on his knees for Sparrow? Absolutely not, but oh, it was delightful.
I’m not a Mafia girlie, but I ate this up.
The possessiveness, the passion, the domination — Sparrow and Xav were fire and ice, and I loved their explosive chemistry.
The vendetta plot line, the fiery romance, the whole Mafia family was all just really well done and entertaining. And the spice?? Hold up, it needs its own quote and paragraph.
Big badboi getting dominated by a little spitfire is such a great and uncommon trope, and I loved the contrast between the characters, both physically and in their demeanor, the way they were both savage and tender with each other, tearing each other apart only to put the pieces back together again.
The bondage, the praise, and a number of other very dirty things, it was all super hot and mind-melting.
I enjoyed every minute of this, from the not-so-cute meetcute to the vengeful murdering, and I can’t wait for more of this series.
And do I sense a rival mafia bosses romance in our future?? Spectacular, give me 14 of them right now.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
CW and tropes (spoilers):
- Violence & death
- Death of a sibling (off page)
- Mentions of overdose and SA (not MCs)
- Mafia hitman
- Possessiveness
- Height difference
- Creative/dirty ways to use a tie
- Choking/breath play
- Bondage
- Primal play
- Power exchange/ D/s dynamic
- Vers MCs
- Face-fucking
- Coming untouched
- Frotting & rimming
- Orgasm control & edging
- Cock ring
Would it be inappropriate to propose to a man while he’s in the middle of threatening someone’s life?
Scary Mafia badass killer unravels with a single touch from his Sparrow, his Sir.
Was I expecting Xaviaro, stoic hitman/enforcer, to be a submissive and whimper on his knees for Sparrow? Absolutely not, but oh, it was delightful.
I’m not a Mafia girlie, but I ate this up.
The possessiveness, the passion, the domination — Sparrow and Xav were fire and ice, and I loved their explosive chemistry.
« We could be so beautifully dangerous together.»
The vendetta plot line, the fiery romance, the whole Mafia family was all just really well done and entertaining. And the spice?? Hold up, it needs its own quote and paragraph.
“How good do you think you could be for me?”
Big badboi getting dominated by a little spitfire is such a great and uncommon trope, and I loved the contrast between the characters, both physically and in their demeanor, the way they were both savage and tender with each other, tearing each other apart only to put the pieces back together again.
The bondage, the praise, and a number of other very dirty things, it was all super hot and mind-melting.
I enjoyed every minute of this, from the not-so-cute meetcute to the vengeful murdering, and I can’t wait for more of this series.
And do I sense a rival mafia bosses romance in our future?? Spectacular, give me 14 of them right now.
“Do killers get happy endings?”
“We can have whatever we want, Little Sparrow.”
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
CW and tropes (spoilers):
- Violence & death
- Death of a sibling (off page)
- Mentions of overdose and SA (not MCs)
- Mafia hitman
- Possessiveness
- Height difference
- Creative/dirty ways to use a tie
- Choking/breath play
- Bondage
- Primal play
- Power exchange/ D/s dynamic
- Vers MCs
- Face-fucking
- Coming untouched
- Frotting & rimming
- Orgasm control & edging
- Cock ring
April 11, 2025
I swear to god, mafia romances should work for me and I live in constant disappointment that I have yet to find one that hits just right. In defence of this book though, it's definitely one of the stronger mafia romances that I have come across. I didn't hate my time with this book but it feels like it'll be pretty unmemorable in the long run.
Xaviaro, mafia hitman enforcer, with a hidden desire to be dominated, has the meet cute of his dreams when a cute spitfire twink dubbed Sparrow, breaks his nose in the process of Xav breaking up a bar fight.
Fair warning, this is very insta-lovey.
I think this was a bit of a mismatch in tropes and kinks for me. I was never quiet sold on the dynamic of Sparrow and Xav. I think that their dynamic could have been fun but it took a bit more sophistication in character work than I suspect this was capable of.
I was never quite able to believe that the big bad mafia hit man was so incredibly submissive for his psycho, pretty twink...to the point that Xav apparently falls into sub-space by way of a blow job the first time he hooks up with Sparrow...and like I know these books need a bit of suspension of belief, but I just couldn't help but side eye it a bit for being a bit ridiculous. Honestly the whole BDSM elements of the book kind of felt a little....safe and boring...? And I know I'm coming off the back of Kora Knight smut, so like my smut scale is currently busted, but the chemistry in these spicy scenes felt pretty flat to me.
The dual narration by Nick Russo and Declan Winters definitely raised the reading experience as a whole for me. I did think that perhaps the sound balance was a little off though cause Sparrows chapters were often quite a bit quieter than Xavs chapters and I was having to raise or lower the volume between POVs
If you can ignore some pretty questionable plot holes and world building and are into verse boys who participate in some light BDSM and rope play then this could hold potential? 🤷🏼♀️
Xaviaro, mafia hitman enforcer, with a hidden desire to be dominated, has the meet cute of his dreams when a cute spitfire twink dubbed Sparrow, breaks his nose in the process of Xav breaking up a bar fight.
Fair warning, this is very insta-lovey.
I think this was a bit of a mismatch in tropes and kinks for me. I was never quiet sold on the dynamic of Sparrow and Xav. I think that their dynamic could have been fun but it took a bit more sophistication in character work than I suspect this was capable of.
I was never quite able to believe that the big bad mafia hit man was so incredibly submissive for his psycho, pretty twink...to the point that Xav apparently falls into sub-space by way of a blow job the first time he hooks up with Sparrow...and like I know these books need a bit of suspension of belief, but I just couldn't help but side eye it a bit for being a bit ridiculous. Honestly the whole BDSM elements of the book kind of felt a little....safe and boring...? And I know I'm coming off the back of Kora Knight smut, so like my smut scale is currently busted, but the chemistry in these spicy scenes felt pretty flat to me.
The dual narration by Nick Russo and Declan Winters definitely raised the reading experience as a whole for me. I did think that perhaps the sound balance was a little off though cause Sparrows chapters were often quite a bit quieter than Xavs chapters and I was having to raise or lower the volume between POVs
If you can ignore some pretty questionable plot holes and world building and are into verse boys who participate in some light BDSM and rope play then this could hold potential? 🤷🏼♀️
June 13, 2024
Surprisingly well written mafia romance with some annoying flaws.
It’s the story between Xaviaro Santiago, the deadly enforcerer/trigger man of the Moretti family, and Sparrow, who appears in the Moretti’s territory, intent on killing the men responsible for the death of his brother.
It… works. I don’t usually like mafia romances, especially darker ones. But with this one, I managed to suspend my disbelief and really accepted that Xaviaro is, in fact, a sweet little murder marshmallow with the secret will to submit and let go, and Sparrow is a newly trained slightly unhinged, bossy murder twink. Enzo, the head of the Moretti family, and Elio, his younger brother, have a Nonna/grandmother whom they’re secretly afraid of, and seem to have a privately submissive side, too (making me looking forward to the upcoming books).
What kept me from giving it 5 stars is the slightly sloppy way Sparrow’s character was set up.
He has a picture of his brother with 4 guys, from just before he died. How did he get it?
How did he even know his brother is dead, considering that at some point he says that there’s no grave.
He’s from a wealthy family, but decided to fake his own death and start his revenge as a man who can barely afford an apartment or a second pair of jeans. Why?
He hired an infamous killer to train him. Is there some book I should know about? I think a prologue of some sorts would have worked wonders.
As for the narration: it’s nothing short of excellent- NJR as Sparrow and Declan Winters as Xaviaro. REALLY good.
4.5 stars rounded down because they setup annoyed me too much to give it 5 😬
It’s the story between Xaviaro Santiago, the deadly enforcerer/trigger man of the Moretti family, and Sparrow, who appears in the Moretti’s territory, intent on killing the men responsible for the death of his brother.
It… works. I don’t usually like mafia romances, especially darker ones. But with this one, I managed to suspend my disbelief and really accepted that Xaviaro is, in fact, a sweet little murder marshmallow with the secret will to submit and let go, and Sparrow is a newly trained slightly unhinged, bossy murder twink. Enzo, the head of the Moretti family, and Elio, his younger brother, have a Nonna/grandmother whom they’re secretly afraid of, and seem to have a privately submissive side, too (making me looking forward to the upcoming books).
What kept me from giving it 5 stars is the slightly sloppy way Sparrow’s character was set up.
He has a picture of his brother with 4 guys, from just before he died. How did he get it?
How did he even know his brother is dead, considering that at some point he says that there’s no grave.
He’s from a wealthy family, but decided to fake his own death and start his revenge as a man who can barely afford an apartment or a second pair of jeans. Why?
He hired an infamous killer to train him. Is there some book I should know about? I think a prologue of some sorts would have worked wonders.
As for the narration: it’s nothing short of excellent- NJR as Sparrow and Declan Winters as Xaviaro. REALLY good.
4.5 stars rounded down because they setup annoyed me too much to give it 5 😬
August 30, 2024
3.5**** stars
Rounding up to four stars for the great choice of narrators. The story was fine but I was only semi into it. Somehow some aspects felt like an experiment on the author’s side with tropes like mafia and kink.
Still, I’m pretty much intrigued by the side characters to return to the series when their stories come to audio as well.
****************
Mafia Bound Series
Book 1 - Deadly Little Sparrow - 3.5 stars
Book 2 - Beautifully Savage Butterfly - release 09/24
Rounding up to four stars for the great choice of narrators. The story was fine but I was only semi into it. Somehow some aspects felt like an experiment on the author’s side with tropes like mafia and kink.
Still, I’m pretty much intrigued by the side characters to return to the series when their stories come to audio as well.
****************
Mafia Bound Series
Book 1 - Deadly Little Sparrow - 3.5 stars
Book 2 - Beautifully Savage Butterfly - release 09/24
Read
June 7, 2024Audio: 4.5 stars for Nick J Russo (voicing Sparrow) and Declan Winters (voicing Xaviaro).
Book: DNF @43%
It is 100% my mood right now. So take this negative review with a grain of salt. Nothing new is catching my attention. I can see myself coming back to this, but right now is not the time.
There are some BDSM vibes I wasn't expecting especially the Dom/Sub vibes, but even with that said it was alright, at the moment I don't feel the connection between the two and I am just bored.
I am worried to reread anything in case my mood ruins the experience for me, but who knows that might just save the massive slump I feel coming.
Book: DNF @43%
It is 100% my mood right now. So take this negative review with a grain of salt. Nothing new is catching my attention. I can see myself coming back to this, but right now is not the time.
There are some BDSM vibes I wasn't expecting especially the Dom/Sub vibes, but even with that said it was alright, at the moment I don't feel the connection between the two and I am just bored.
I am worried to reread anything in case my mood ruins the experience for me, but who knows that might just save the massive slump I feel coming.
July 9, 2025
All you need to know about my love of this book is that I binged this entire 294 books in one night, and I have to be up super early tomorrow to go to work. But there was no way I was putting this book down before I finished it.
June 8, 2024
•BDSM (Dom/Sub)
•Mafia, killing, gore
•instalust
Okay so, I don’t typically enjoy d/s because it usually feels so clinical and impersonal to me and that’s the opposite of how I want a romance story to feel. In this case, there was some tenderness throughout and a lot of tenderness during the aftercare which really worked for me. I’m sure if you’re someone who enjoys BDSM this might be a higher rating for you but since I’m not the target demographic for this it makes sense that it wasn’t one of my favorites 🤔
I’m not really sure what it was but I started to get bored throughout the story, I especially didn’t care for the scenes where it’s reiterated how beautiful the stripper who’s most definitely going to have his own book is. I prefer when side characters are in stories to add to the main plot instead of having such a blatant focus on who the next books will be about. 🙈
I might’ve blinked and missed it, or Sparrow never tells Xavi his real name? 🤔
I wanted a little more intimacy aside from their sexual scenes together ? 🤷🏻♀️
It was also weird how Sparrow went to meet the head of the mafia but was all gung-ho and Enzo just let it slide, it was very …non mafia style and made it seem like Sparrow was the leader and not Enzo? 🤷🏻♀️
Apparently the next book is already available if you join the author’s Patreon or we can till September for the next one which seems like it’ll be another d/s relationship 🤔
•Mafia, killing, gore
•instalust
Okay so, I don’t typically enjoy d/s because it usually feels so clinical and impersonal to me and that’s the opposite of how I want a romance story to feel. In this case, there was some tenderness throughout and a lot of tenderness during the aftercare which really worked for me. I’m sure if you’re someone who enjoys BDSM this might be a higher rating for you but since I’m not the target demographic for this it makes sense that it wasn’t one of my favorites 🤔
I’m not really sure what it was but I started to get bored throughout the story, I especially didn’t care for the scenes where it’s reiterated how beautiful the stripper who’s most definitely going to have his own book is. I prefer when side characters are in stories to add to the main plot instead of having such a blatant focus on who the next books will be about. 🙈
I might’ve blinked and missed it, or Sparrow never tells Xavi his real name? 🤔
I wanted a little more intimacy aside from their sexual scenes together ? 🤷🏻♀️
It was also weird how Sparrow went to meet the head of the mafia but was all gung-ho and Enzo just let it slide, it was very …non mafia style and made it seem like Sparrow was the leader and not Enzo? 🤷🏻♀️
Apparently the next book is already available if you join the author’s Patreon or we can till September for the next one which seems like it’ll be another d/s relationship 🤔
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
did-not-finish
August 16, 2024I typically love KM’s books, but this just didn’t do it for me
Read
November 26, 2025DNF 33%
page 19 his eyes were “honey-colored” but on page 91 they’re blue. i’m not reading a book where the author doesn’t even bother knowing the mcs eye color.
page 19 his eyes were “honey-colored” but on page 91 they’re blue. i’m not reading a book where the author doesn’t even bother knowing the mcs eye color.
Read
August 5, 2024Dnfed at 23% . Idk but I don’t feel this at all maybe I will try it again at a later point.
June 20, 2025
4.5 stars. This book was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed seeing this killer that everyone is afraid of fall in love with a fun, crazy character! There was violence, blood and death, things you would expect in a mafia story of course but also a great connection between the characters.
I loved the dynamic between Xavi and Sparrow, he was just who Xavi needed in his crazy life and of course he made Sparrow’s revenge mission a lot easier too! Seeing them both in the violent parts of the book and the sexy were both equally as great and I thought the book had a great balance.
I am a big fan of this author so definitely recommend, especially if you’re looking for something a little different than your normal romantic love story!
I loved the dynamic between Xavi and Sparrow, he was just who Xavi needed in his crazy life and of course he made Sparrow’s revenge mission a lot easier too! Seeing them both in the violent parts of the book and the sexy were both equally as great and I thought the book had a great balance.
I am a big fan of this author so definitely recommend, especially if you’re looking for something a little different than your normal romantic love story!
June 16, 2024
A sweet,dark,bloody,sexy tale of love, revenge and found family.
September 8, 2024
sexy sexy. stabby stabby.
August 30, 2025
Was this OTT?
Yes. Yes, it was.
Did I eat it right up?
Mhm. Yes, I did!
Sparrow is trying to avenge his dead brother by hunting down the men who killed him. While threatening a guy for information he breaks Xaviaro’s nose. Xav is immediately impressed by the feisty, deadly sparrow. As the mafia family’s hitman not many accept the darkness that comes with him but Sparrow takes it in stride.
The spicy scenes were so hot. The dynamic between these two was 😘👌🏻. Give me a big scary man on his knees any day!
I literally needed this book…it was light, low angst, funny and adorably dark. Love my sweet little murder marshmallow!
Yes. Yes, it was.
Did I eat it right up?
Mhm. Yes, I did!
Sparrow is trying to avenge his dead brother by hunting down the men who killed him. While threatening a guy for information he breaks Xaviaro’s nose. Xav is immediately impressed by the feisty, deadly sparrow. As the mafia family’s hitman not many accept the darkness that comes with him but Sparrow takes it in stride.
The spicy scenes were so hot. The dynamic between these two was 😘👌🏻. Give me a big scary man on his knees any day!
I literally needed this book…it was light, low angst, funny and adorably dark. Love my sweet little murder marshmallow!
April 23, 2025
Started this series cos Dante’s story (Book 3) caught my eye.
Badass mafia killers have always done it for me and this one is no different.
Really well-written – Xaviaro and Sparrow were captivating characters and coupled with an intriguing plotline, made for an all-round entertaining read.
Definitely seals in my resolve to continue with this series.
Badass mafia killers have always done it for me and this one is no different.
Really well-written – Xaviaro and Sparrow were captivating characters and coupled with an intriguing plotline, made for an all-round entertaining read.
Definitely seals in my resolve to continue with this series.
May 29, 2025
Tropes: hurt/comfort, mafia, size difference, found family
Feels: 3/5
Steam*: 2.5/5
Kinks: smaller guy is the Dom, big guy is sub, stalking, primal play, restraints
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: violence, murder, grief, references to minor characters being SA'd
Cheating between MCs: No
Any cheating: No
Other person drama: neither of them are interested in anyone else after they see each other
4.25 stars
Sparrow is a rich trust fund baby who spent all his money to be trained as a killer. His brother Benny was raped and murdered by a gang, the Sleepless Reapers and he wants to kill the four people that killed Benny. During a bar scuffle where he's trying to get information, Mafia trigger man Xaviaro sees him and is fascinated by the hot twink who just radiates dominance and violence. Xav secretly wants to be dominated but he never has been. Xav pulls Sparrow away from a fight, and ends up with a broken nose. He stalks Sparrow for a while and then orchestrates running into him a few times. Murder quests turn into dates. They are extremely compatible in their interests. Attraction quickly turns into affection. But Sparrow has a deadly mission so there's some threats.
I absolutely loved this book. There was a lot of humor, heat, possessiveness, and real genuine affection. I loved how they both fell so quickly and called it what it was, not shying away from feelings. They were all In pretty early, and they didn't play games with each other or mince words. I loved seeing the possessiveness. I loved how they saw that the other person was perfect for them, they were so impressed by the other person, everything they did made them fall more and made them realize how perfect that person was for them. Xav admired Sparrow so much and Sparrow loved his murder marshmallow and was never afraid of him.
Some notable moments:
"“Tell me, or so help me, I will cut your fucking tongue out with this broken shard of glass,” the tiny bird growls the words so menacingly that a hot wave of electricity courses through my body. Would it be inappropriate to propose to a man while he’s in the middle of threatening someone’s life? It would be a hell of a story to tell at our wedding, if nothing else."
"“What happened?” Elio, Lorenzo’s younger brother and the underboss of the Moretti organization just comes right out and asks the question I’m sure they’re all thinking. I suppose I should be proud of the fact that me turning up with an injury is worthy of front page news. I adjust my tie and cross my ankle over my knee. “Your dad plays rougher than I expected.” I keep my expression deadpan and Elio furrows his brow. “My dad is dead,” he reminds me with the kind of charming ignorance only Elio could pull off."
I love that Sparrow calls Xav his murder marshmallow "I shrug my jacket on and grab the roll of duct tape and the garbage bags off the kitchen counter. I’ll behave and dispose of the body this time. Maybe that’ll earn me some extra points with my murder marshmallow. I’m sure it couldn’t hurt."
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
Feels: 3/5
Steam*: 2.5/5
Kinks: smaller guy is the Dom, big guy is sub, stalking, primal play, restraints
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: violence, murder, grief, references to minor characters being SA'd
Cheating between MCs: No
Any cheating: No
Other person drama: neither of them are interested in anyone else after they see each other
4.25 stars
Sparrow is a rich trust fund baby who spent all his money to be trained as a killer. His brother Benny was raped and murdered by a gang, the Sleepless Reapers and he wants to kill the four people that killed Benny. During a bar scuffle where he's trying to get information, Mafia trigger man Xaviaro sees him and is fascinated by the hot twink who just radiates dominance and violence. Xav secretly wants to be dominated but he never has been. Xav pulls Sparrow away from a fight, and ends up with a broken nose. He stalks Sparrow for a while and then orchestrates running into him a few times. Murder quests turn into dates. They are extremely compatible in their interests. Attraction quickly turns into affection. But Sparrow has a deadly mission so there's some threats.
I absolutely loved this book. There was a lot of humor, heat, possessiveness, and real genuine affection. I loved how they both fell so quickly and called it what it was, not shying away from feelings. They were all In pretty early, and they didn't play games with each other or mince words. I loved seeing the possessiveness. I loved how they saw that the other person was perfect for them, they were so impressed by the other person, everything they did made them fall more and made them realize how perfect that person was for them. Xav admired Sparrow so much and Sparrow loved his murder marshmallow and was never afraid of him.
Some notable moments:
"“Tell me, or so help me, I will cut your fucking tongue out with this broken shard of glass,” the tiny bird growls the words so menacingly that a hot wave of electricity courses through my body. Would it be inappropriate to propose to a man while he’s in the middle of threatening someone’s life? It would be a hell of a story to tell at our wedding, if nothing else."
"“What happened?” Elio, Lorenzo’s younger brother and the underboss of the Moretti organization just comes right out and asks the question I’m sure they’re all thinking. I suppose I should be proud of the fact that me turning up with an injury is worthy of front page news. I adjust my tie and cross my ankle over my knee. “Your dad plays rougher than I expected.” I keep my expression deadpan and Elio furrows his brow. “My dad is dead,” he reminds me with the kind of charming ignorance only Elio could pull off."
I love that Sparrow calls Xav his murder marshmallow "I shrug my jacket on and grab the roll of duct tape and the garbage bags off the kitchen counter. I’ll behave and dispose of the body this time. Maybe that’ll earn me some extra points with my murder marshmallow. I’m sure it couldn’t hurt."
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2024
Rating: 4
Steam: 3
PoV: dual, 1st person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Main tropes: mafia, kink, size difference
I was super intrigued when I saw that K.M. Neuhold was writing a dark mafia romance, and I ended up really enjoying it!
I just adored this story with a murder marshmallow and his bloodthirsty twink! The plot was pretty straightforward, focusing on Sparrow getting revenge on the bikers that killed his brother and accidentally gaining Xaviaro's attention while doing so. There was a bit of insta-lust between them, and I loved how drawn Xaviaro was to Sparrow and that he kept an eye on him.
I enjoyed the way their relationship developed, and it was fun to see them explore and find out what they were both into and worked for them. They were cute together and had some great banter going on, and I loved their little nicknames for each other. I also loved the D / s dynamic between them, it was hot and it made sense that Xaviaro found peace in submitting due to the many and heavy responsibilities he had in his life.
Despite the darker themes and plot, it was still low angst and written in K.M. Neuhold's usual style, just with a little less humour. As it was the first book in a series, there were some character's introduced that felt like they might get their own story, and I'm definitely curious about a certain mob boss and his Irish enemy... I really hope that we get more books in this style and series!
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Thanks to the author for the opportunity to read and review this book. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Steam: 3
PoV: dual, 1st person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Main tropes: mafia, kink, size difference
I was super intrigued when I saw that K.M. Neuhold was writing a dark mafia romance, and I ended up really enjoying it!
I just adored this story with a murder marshmallow and his bloodthirsty twink! The plot was pretty straightforward, focusing on Sparrow getting revenge on the bikers that killed his brother and accidentally gaining Xaviaro's attention while doing so. There was a bit of insta-lust between them, and I loved how drawn Xaviaro was to Sparrow and that he kept an eye on him.
I enjoyed the way their relationship developed, and it was fun to see them explore and find out what they were both into and worked for them. They were cute together and had some great banter going on, and I loved their little nicknames for each other. I also loved the D / s dynamic between them, it was hot and it made sense that Xaviaro found peace in submitting due to the many and heavy responsibilities he had in his life.
Despite the darker themes and plot, it was still low angst and written in K.M. Neuhold's usual style, just with a little less humour. As it was the first book in a series, there were some character's introduced that felt like they might get their own story, and I'm definitely curious about a certain mob boss and his Irish enemy... I really hope that we get more books in this style and series!
-
Thanks to the author for the opportunity to read and review this book. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
February 7, 2024
I discovered K.M last year and have read around 20 of their books (with only 1 I didn’t like which is an amazing ratio!)
I got this new one through her Patreon and I’m happy to say it’s another one added to my « I loved it » list!
I loved the twist from the typical mafia romance where here the killer is the sub and I also love the different dynamic with a bottom Dom. It was refreshing and the revenge story was great as well.
And now, as always with K.M’s books I’m curious about the other characters!
I got this new one through her Patreon and I’m happy to say it’s another one added to my « I loved it » list!
I loved the twist from the typical mafia romance where here the killer is the sub and I also love the different dynamic with a bottom Dom. It was refreshing and the revenge story was great as well.
And now, as always with K.M’s books I’m curious about the other characters!
June 14, 2024
Tbh for me it’s really hard to not compare all of these kinds of books to the Vitale brothers and this just didn’t match up. Were definitely some brilliant one liners in this but as with all KM Neuhold books, some bits I loved some bits I hated. Will probably still read the next book cos I’m intrigued by some of the side characters!
June 7, 2024
i did expect something more for the last part, but this author’s trying to do something different and i really appreciate that. i’m excited for the rest!!!
May 26, 2024
This book was great! It has everything I love about Kyleen's writing. It was violent, bloody, and hot af. I loved every word of this book, and I can't wait to get it on audio. It has a touch of Kyleen's humor but not so much that it takes away from the intensity of the story. Sparrow was a crazy little spitfire, but he was absolutely perfect for Xaviaro. I really enjoyed the dynamic between the mc's. These characters are mean and nasty and exceptional. The sexy times in this book are intensely hot. I really can't wait for more of this series because it promises to be fiercely entertaining.
April 23, 2025
Sparrow meets a hit man for the mafia and fall in love! The hit man being a pleasure submissive top was everything 🥵 🥵 will for sure be reading the rest of the series!!
August 13, 2024
Independent reviewer for GRR, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Usually, when I love a book, I can rant and rave for ages, but for some reason, this book is not letting me rant about it, and I don't know why, and ya'll KNOW how much that stresses me, when I cannot voice what I want!
But I loved it!
It makes no bones about what sort of book it is, and it makes no apologies for it, either. Both Xaviaro and Sparrow are murderers, and they know it.
But Xav is a "sweet murdering marshmellow" when it comes to Sparrow and I loved that Sparrow really saw Xav, you know? I loved that Xav knew that Sparraow would be the one to get him on his knees, and he knew that very quickly.
The attraction between these two was powerful, and deadly, and it runs hit right through the book. But so does the violence, although, violence isn't quite the word I would use. Yes, there is on page murder; Sparrow is, after all, out for revenge, and Xav is Enzo's right hand man, but I still can't bring myself to say it was violent.
Sparrow (whose real name is not told, and I only just clocked that!) tends not to talk about important stuff, so some points were kinda thrown out at you: his training, his faked suicide to name a few. It made me double back a check a couple times, but once I clicked that this was just his way, I stopped doubling back.
The supporting cast are interesting too, Enzo and Elio especially. Those two have their eyes on someone who might or might not be their enemy! I hope they get stories, and I hope I get to read them.
I've read a couple of Neuhold books, that were KU reads and I don't usually bother with reviews for KU reads. I think I might dig a little deeper in the back list of this author.
In the end, the book let me rant a bit, I loved this and I loved that it did not pretend to be anything it wasn't. It's dark and deadly, but also a lot of fun,
5 full and shiny stars
Same worded review will appear elsewhere
Usually, when I love a book, I can rant and rave for ages, but for some reason, this book is not letting me rant about it, and I don't know why, and ya'll KNOW how much that stresses me, when I cannot voice what I want!
But I loved it!
It makes no bones about what sort of book it is, and it makes no apologies for it, either. Both Xaviaro and Sparrow are murderers, and they know it.
But Xav is a "sweet murdering marshmellow" when it comes to Sparrow and I loved that Sparrow really saw Xav, you know? I loved that Xav knew that Sparraow would be the one to get him on his knees, and he knew that very quickly.
The attraction between these two was powerful, and deadly, and it runs hit right through the book. But so does the violence, although, violence isn't quite the word I would use. Yes, there is on page murder; Sparrow is, after all, out for revenge, and Xav is Enzo's right hand man, but I still can't bring myself to say it was violent.
Sparrow (whose real name is not told, and I only just clocked that!) tends not to talk about important stuff, so some points were kinda thrown out at you: his training, his faked suicide to name a few. It made me double back a check a couple times, but once I clicked that this was just his way, I stopped doubling back.
The supporting cast are interesting too, Enzo and Elio especially. Those two have their eyes on someone who might or might not be their enemy! I hope they get stories, and I hope I get to read them.
I've read a couple of Neuhold books, that were KU reads and I don't usually bother with reviews for KU reads. I think I might dig a little deeper in the back list of this author.
In the end, the book let me rant a bit, I loved this and I loved that it did not pretend to be anything it wasn't. It's dark and deadly, but also a lot of fun,
5 full and shiny stars
Same worded review will appear elsewhere
November 7, 2024
So, if you're looking for a slow-burn romance where the relationship builds and deepens over time... this is not that book. This was basically insta-boyfriends on hyper-speed. They locked eyes, had a quick flash of “oh, he’s hot,” and boom—suddenly they’re calling each other boyfriend and declaring protective feelings. Relationship building? Skipped right past that!
I will say, though, I enjoyed the twist of the smaller guy being the dominant one. Did it feel believable here? Ehh... not really. But hey, I’m no expert in the art of dominance dynamics, so I went along with it. On a brighter note, Sparrow’s aftercare scenes were actually pretty well-written, which gave the story a little more heart.
Overall, if you’re here for emotional buildup, look elsewhere. But if you're into instant-boyfriends with a touch of good aftercare, it might be worth a quick read.
I will say, though, I enjoyed the twist of the smaller guy being the dominant one. Did it feel believable here? Ehh... not really. But hey, I’m no expert in the art of dominance dynamics, so I went along with it. On a brighter note, Sparrow’s aftercare scenes were actually pretty well-written, which gave the story a little more heart.
Overall, if you’re here for emotional buildup, look elsewhere. But if you're into instant-boyfriends with a touch of good aftercare, it might be worth a quick read.
May 25, 2024
I absolutely loved this book! This is a darker style that I’ve seen before from this author but I’m totally here for it! The characters were so well written and I loved the slight twist on the dom sub roles than what you typically find. I can’t wait to find out more about some of the side characters as well as there is some amazing potential in it those storylines!
November 2, 2024
its not every day that you read a mafia hitman submitting, begging and whimpering on his knees for a violent twink who is out for revenge. Was it like the other dark, mafia romances? no. Were the mafia men anything closely related to the dark, broody mafia men you casually read about in other mafia books? hell no. But it was funny at times, the smut was smutting too. All in all it was okayish, i guess
July 27, 2024
I liked the dynamic, it's not one you normally see with the dom being the smaller man of the two. Add in what the sub does for a living, and it gives a great shift in power and dynamic.
Unfortunately, I did get a tad bored come 75%, and skimmed. But, I truly enjoyed the beginning portion and Sparrows no nonsense, takes nothing from no one, attitude.
Unfortunately, I did get a tad bored come 75%, and skimmed. But, I truly enjoyed the beginning portion and Sparrows no nonsense, takes nothing from no one, attitude.
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