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The Casella Brothers #2
The Casella Ruin
DARCY:
I’ve spent my life bound to a life I’ve hated for as long as I can remember... deep in the ugliness of the underworld, serving one of London’s most ruthless mobsters. I wish I could say my life is filled with riches from blood money, but it isn’t, and it only gets worse when the Casella brothers find me and tether my life to his.
Nicholas Casella, the arrogant, self-righteous playboy.
Now I must fight with all I have for any chance at freedom, before it’s too late.
Before he kills me.
NICHOLAS:
Secrets.
We live with so many damn secrets.
I wish I were one of them. I wish I could crawl into the abyss and never emerge again. The promise of a future with someone I don’t love, let alone an enemy, is enough to claw me back into insatiable habits and into the resounding pain I’ve tried so hard to muffle over the many years.
I despise everything about her and as long as her life is tied to mine, I will make her suffer for the things her family has done. I won’t stop, until she’s begging on her knees for my mercy. Even then, I don’t plan to give it to her.
I’ve spent my life bound to a life I’ve hated for as long as I can remember... deep in the ugliness of the underworld, serving one of London’s most ruthless mobsters. I wish I could say my life is filled with riches from blood money, but it isn’t, and it only gets worse when the Casella brothers find me and tether my life to his.
Nicholas Casella, the arrogant, self-righteous playboy.
Now I must fight with all I have for any chance at freedom, before it’s too late.
Before he kills me.
NICHOLAS:
Secrets.
We live with so many damn secrets.
I wish I were one of them. I wish I could crawl into the abyss and never emerge again. The promise of a future with someone I don’t love, let alone an enemy, is enough to claw me back into insatiable habits and into the resounding pain I’ve tried so hard to muffle over the many years.
I despise everything about her and as long as her life is tied to mine, I will make her suffer for the things her family has done. I won’t stop, until she’s begging on her knees for my mercy. Even then, I don’t plan to give it to her.
446 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 31, 2024
19 people are currently reading
421 people want to read
About the author
C.B. Frey
5 books87 followersC.B. Frey is a dark romance author from Sydney and the author of The Casella Brothers series.
She thrives in the dark, finding beauty in the twisted and forbidden. She writes dark romance with a raw edge, filled with brooding villains and love that burns with toxic obsession. Her readers have dubbed her characters as messy, flawed and irresistibly compelling.
She thrives in the dark, finding beauty in the twisted and forbidden. She writes dark romance with a raw edge, filled with brooding villains and love that burns with toxic obsession. Her readers have dubbed her characters as messy, flawed and irresistibly compelling.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
May 5, 2025
4.5 STARS
July 23, 2024
This book is what I mean when I say I want enemies to lovers.
This book hurt. C. B. Frey honestly ripped my heart out and stomped on it. I cried. And then I cried some more. Pretty sure I stopped breathing at one point.
This book is so well written and I was hooked straight away. The characters all have so much depth and you can genuinely connect with them.
I loved watching the growth of characters and relationships throughout as well.
Fenice
This book was honestly everything!
This book hurt. C. B. Frey honestly ripped my heart out and stomped on it. I cried. And then I cried some more. Pretty sure I stopped breathing at one point.
This book is so well written and I was hooked straight away. The characters all have so much depth and you can genuinely connect with them.
I loved watching the growth of characters and relationships throughout as well.
Fenice
This book was honestly everything!
March 13, 2025
The rollercoaster of emotions that comes with this book … wow! The betrayal, the revenge, the love, the suffering. It gives you every emotion, from sadness, anger, heartbroken & feeling hot.
I loved how well the characters were written. I loved that attention was paid to the right details surrounding the characters, so we understand them and their actions. The book manages to keep your attention & make you want to keep reading.
If Mafia Dark Romance is your thing, then this is the book to add to your TBR.
Quick Summary:
This is a true enemies to lovers book. Nicolas and Darcy were raised from birth in a world where their families were enemies. So, when they are forced into marriage, their hate for each other is deep. Even when there is an attraction between them, Darcy stands her ground & holds on tight to that hate, refusing to give into the attraction.
While they are fighting to keep their hate for each other instead of focusing on being together, they slowly start to share stories of their past, allowing them to understand each other. Darcy learns of Nico’s substance abuse, but she doesn’t judge & Nico learns that Darcy is not the Mafia princess brat he first thought. But as they start to trust & love, one of them with a secret that can change everything between the families in their world, ruins it all. Lives are on the line.
Spice Level 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I loved how well the characters were written. I loved that attention was paid to the right details surrounding the characters, so we understand them and their actions. The book manages to keep your attention & make you want to keep reading.
If Mafia Dark Romance is your thing, then this is the book to add to your TBR.
Quick Summary:
This is a true enemies to lovers book. Nicolas and Darcy were raised from birth in a world where their families were enemies. So, when they are forced into marriage, their hate for each other is deep. Even when there is an attraction between them, Darcy stands her ground & holds on tight to that hate, refusing to give into the attraction.
While they are fighting to keep their hate for each other instead of focusing on being together, they slowly start to share stories of their past, allowing them to understand each other. Darcy learns of Nico’s substance abuse, but she doesn’t judge & Nico learns that Darcy is not the Mafia princess brat he first thought. But as they start to trust & love, one of them with a secret that can change everything between the families in their world, ruins it all. Lives are on the line.
Spice Level 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
August 8, 2024
I am absolutely obsessed!! Nicholas and Darcy started off so full of hate towards each other, but they eventually saw that they both had demons lurking in the dark. I love how fast Nic fell for Darcy. This story honestly had everything. It really is a must read!
July 31, 2024
I have to say I liked this one more than The Casella king. This was definitely an enemies to lovers book.
I was rooting for Darcy and Nicholas from the end of the last book when it was suggested that they get married to protect Darcy. When Aries see the scares in her arms and Nico and Ezra talking about their lives I had a feeling they would work out. Not that it all smooth sailing.
For most of the first half of the book Darcy and Nicholas say they hate each other and she's still trying to figure out an escape but then the inevitable happens and she start to realize that she doesn't want to leave and the panic set in for what she's already set in motion.
From just before the second part of the book to the end it was an emotional rollercoaster. I have to say I did shed a tear when he tell her what his back tattoo means. I thought it was beautiful that although the were apart and he hated her more than ever he still needed that part of her.
I didn't like Asher's ending but I think that's because I really liked the friendship between him and Nico. I really hope that somewhere in Rafael book there is a mention of them actually getting there revenge.
All in all it was a good book and although it’s a standalone interlinked book I would recommend reading them in sync just so it makes sense.
I was rooting for Darcy and Nicholas from the end of the last book when it was suggested that they get married to protect Darcy. When Aries see the scares in her arms and Nico and Ezra talking about their lives I had a feeling they would work out. Not that it all smooth sailing.
For most of the first half of the book Darcy and Nicholas say they hate each other and she's still trying to figure out an escape but then the inevitable happens and she start to realize that she doesn't want to leave and the panic set in for what she's already set in motion.
From just before the second part of the book to the end it was an emotional rollercoaster. I have to say I did shed a tear when he tell her what his back tattoo means. I thought it was beautiful that although the were apart and he hated her more than ever he still needed that part of her.
I didn't like Asher's ending but I think that's because I really liked the friendship between him and Nico. I really hope that somewhere in Rafael book there is a mention of them actually getting there revenge.
All in all it was a good book and although it’s a standalone interlinked book I would recommend reading them in sync just so it makes sense.
August 4, 2024
When you grow up and all you know is pain and suffering, how else do you satiate the cravings??
You hurt yourself, by hurting others.
HUGE FU€KING STANDING OVATION FOR C.B. Frey
👏🖤👏🖤👏🖤👏🖤👏
There are authors who write a book, there are authors that write a story; then there are authors who write you- you’re soul -into the world of chaos and pain they’ve dreamed up; they make you feel things you never should.
Bits of you- the real you -collide with these two fictional characters on an emotional high, plunging you into the depths of their thoughts, actions, and reactions.
You dodge every shøt, you hide your heart in fear of it being broken more than it is, and you cower in despair, pleading for it all to end.
C.B. takes your heart for a ride that I can’t explain without telling you too much. The amount of turns and twists you go through in this book, will have your stomach in knots waiting for the inevitable 😢.
I sobbed, broke down and folded in half, at “that part” (IYKYK), waves of adrenaline crushed me; my bouncing my fingers in agony desperate to turn the page for an explanation.
Be prepared to feel every emotion. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
You hurt yourself, by hurting others.
HUGE FU€KING STANDING OVATION FOR C.B. Frey
👏🖤👏🖤👏🖤👏🖤👏
There are authors who write a book, there are authors that write a story; then there are authors who write you- you’re soul -into the world of chaos and pain they’ve dreamed up; they make you feel things you never should.
Bits of you- the real you -collide with these two fictional characters on an emotional high, plunging you into the depths of their thoughts, actions, and reactions.
You dodge every shøt, you hide your heart in fear of it being broken more than it is, and you cower in despair, pleading for it all to end.
C.B. takes your heart for a ride that I can’t explain without telling you too much. The amount of turns and twists you go through in this book, will have your stomach in knots waiting for the inevitable 😢.
I sobbed, broke down and folded in half, at “that part” (IYKYK), waves of adrenaline crushed me; my bouncing my fingers in agony desperate to turn the page for an explanation.
Be prepared to feel every emotion. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
July 23, 2024
* It’s always impressive to me when a prologue just hits. And this one, pulled me in IMMEDIATELY!
* “Hᴇ’s ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴀs ʙʀᴏᴋᴇɴ ᴀs ᴍᴇ.” I sɴɪғғʟᴇ. “Hᴇ’s ʜᴜᴍᴀɴ. Tʜɪs ᴡʜᴏʟᴇ ᴛɪᴍᴇ I ᴡᴀs ʙʟɪɴᴅᴇᴅ ʙʏ sᴏᴍᴇᴏɴᴇ ᴇʟsᴇ’s ʜᴀᴛᴇ, ᴀɴᴅ I ᴡᴏɴ’ᴛ ʙᴇ… ɴᴏᴛ ᴀɴʏᴍᴏʀᴇ.” The FMC, Darcy, this chick! Super fierce, strong, a total bada$$. We LOVE that in an FMC. She has so much going on, but man does she not falter for a second. Nothing can break her.
* “I ɴᴏ ʟᴏɴɢᴇʀ ᴡᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛᴏ sᴇᴇ ᴀ ʙʀᴏᴋᴇɴ ᴍᴀɴ ʙᴇғᴏʀᴇ ʏᴏᴜ, ʙᴜᴛ ᴏɴᴇ ᴡʜᴏ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʙᴀᴛᴛʟᴇ ʜɪs ᴅᴇᴍᴏɴs ɴᴏᴛ ᴊᴜsᴛ ғᴏʀ ʏᴏᴜ ʙᴜᴛ ғᴏʀ ʜɪᴍsᴇʟғ.” The MMC, Nico, as most Mafia men are he is a total force. Strong, but also totally damaged. Watching him conquer his sh!t and overcome it was really beautiful honestly.
* Their story totally engulfs you in the best way. It hooks you so early and you don’t want to put it down. The progression of their relationship, along with all of the Mafia things occurring really made for such a perfect combination.
* I am completely hooked and I cannot wait for the next book. If you like Dark Mafia Romances I highly suggest!
* “Hᴇ’s ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴀs ʙʀᴏᴋᴇɴ ᴀs ᴍᴇ.” I sɴɪғғʟᴇ. “Hᴇ’s ʜᴜᴍᴀɴ. Tʜɪs ᴡʜᴏʟᴇ ᴛɪᴍᴇ I ᴡᴀs ʙʟɪɴᴅᴇᴅ ʙʏ sᴏᴍᴇᴏɴᴇ ᴇʟsᴇ’s ʜᴀᴛᴇ, ᴀɴᴅ I ᴡᴏɴ’ᴛ ʙᴇ… ɴᴏᴛ ᴀɴʏᴍᴏʀᴇ.” The FMC, Darcy, this chick! Super fierce, strong, a total bada$$. We LOVE that in an FMC. She has so much going on, but man does she not falter for a second. Nothing can break her.
* “I ɴᴏ ʟᴏɴɢᴇʀ ᴡᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛᴏ sᴇᴇ ᴀ ʙʀᴏᴋᴇɴ ᴍᴀɴ ʙᴇғᴏʀᴇ ʏᴏᴜ, ʙᴜᴛ ᴏɴᴇ ᴡʜᴏ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʙᴀᴛᴛʟᴇ ʜɪs ᴅᴇᴍᴏɴs ɴᴏᴛ ᴊᴜsᴛ ғᴏʀ ʏᴏᴜ ʙᴜᴛ ғᴏʀ ʜɪᴍsᴇʟғ.” The MMC, Nico, as most Mafia men are he is a total force. Strong, but also totally damaged. Watching him conquer his sh!t and overcome it was really beautiful honestly.
* Their story totally engulfs you in the best way. It hooks you so early and you don’t want to put it down. The progression of their relationship, along with all of the Mafia things occurring really made for such a perfect combination.
* I am completely hooked and I cannot wait for the next book. If you like Dark Mafia Romances I highly suggest!
August 22, 2024
I’ve spent my life bound to a life I’ve hated for as long as I can remember...
I will make her suffer for the things her family has done. I won’t stop, until she’s begging on her knees for my mercy. Even then, I don’t plan to give it to her.
A forced marriage between Darcy and Nicholas, true enemies to lovers but as they grow together, the banter, tension and spice develops into a well deserved happily ever after.
I absolutely love how the darkness was written about both characters and seeing them overcome their traumas.
C.B Frey has a writing style that I truly love and she is now an auto buy author for me.
Tropes:
- Enemies to lovers
- Forced Marriage
- Touch her and d!e
- Suspense
- Mafia Dark Romance
I will make her suffer for the things her family has done. I won’t stop, until she’s begging on her knees for my mercy. Even then, I don’t plan to give it to her.
A forced marriage between Darcy and Nicholas, true enemies to lovers but as they grow together, the banter, tension and spice develops into a well deserved happily ever after.
I absolutely love how the darkness was written about both characters and seeing them overcome their traumas.
C.B Frey has a writing style that I truly love and she is now an auto buy author for me.
Tropes:
- Enemies to lovers
- Forced Marriage
- Touch her and d!e
- Suspense
- Mafia Dark Romance
August 7, 2024
This book had me in the same type of chokehold the MMC quite likes to use and I could not get enough!!!!!
The Casella King (book 1) introduced me to the walking, drool worthy, red flags that are the Casella brothers, Ezra and Nico, and I was instantly obsessed with Ezra.
Along comes The Casella Ruin (book 2) and my new obsession is now with Nico!!!
Forced into marrying the enemy Nico strives to make Darcy's life a living hell but he has definitely bitten off more than he can chew.
Darcy never backs down from a fight, so the tension is next level between the new husband and wife who battle each other while waging war with their personal demons.
The Casella Ruin is enemies to lovers done 100% right!!!
If you are a fan of:
Dark mafia romance
Enemies to lovers
Forced marriage
Tattooed bad boy MMC with a dark side
A strong-willed FMC
A read that hits you in all the feels
SPICE!!
Then you need to get yourself a copy of The Casella Ruin ASAP!!!
AS ALWAYS check the TWs before diving in as The Casella Ruin does touch on some pretty sensitive subject matter throughout the book.
The Casella King (book 1) introduced me to the walking, drool worthy, red flags that are the Casella brothers, Ezra and Nico, and I was instantly obsessed with Ezra.
Along comes The Casella Ruin (book 2) and my new obsession is now with Nico!!!
Forced into marrying the enemy Nico strives to make Darcy's life a living hell but he has definitely bitten off more than he can chew.
Darcy never backs down from a fight, so the tension is next level between the new husband and wife who battle each other while waging war with their personal demons.
The Casella Ruin is enemies to lovers done 100% right!!!
If you are a fan of:
Dark mafia romance
Enemies to lovers
Forced marriage
Tattooed bad boy MMC with a dark side
A strong-willed FMC
A read that hits you in all the feels
SPICE!!
Then you need to get yourself a copy of The Casella Ruin ASAP!!!
AS ALWAYS check the TWs before diving in as The Casella Ruin does touch on some pretty sensitive subject matter throughout the book.
July 30, 2024
4.5⭐
Oh Nico you beautiful broken boy you!! I really this story. Great balance between plot and spice.
The twists were fantastic and kept me hooked because lets be honest at the end of part 1 I was stressed!!
I'm so glad they got their happy ever after.
Oh Nico you beautiful broken boy you!! I really this story. Great balance between plot and spice.
The twists were fantastic and kept me hooked because lets be honest at the end of part 1 I was stressed!!
I'm so glad they got their happy ever after.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2024
The Casella Ruin plunges readers into a world of power, passion, and danger. Frey delivers a gripping and intense enemies to lovers’ dark mafia romance that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The book centers around the tumultuous relationship between Nicholas Casella, an intimidating mafia prince, and Darcy Brayford, a determined and resilient mafia woman trapped in a web of danger and secrecy. Both, fiercely independent characters trapped in a dangerous dance of hatred.
Furthermore, Casella, is a strong-minded and reckless individual, driven by a quest for vengeance against the Brayford family. His life takes an unexpected turn when he cross paths with Brayford, a member of the very family he despises. The initial encounters between the two are charged with animosity and mistrust, setting the stage for a tumultuous relationship that evolves throughout the book.
Nicholas Casella is a character shrouded in mystery and power. As the brother of the head in the Casella’s crime family, he exudes an air of dominance and ruthlessness that both terrifies and fascinates. Frey masterfully crafts Nicholas as a complex anti-hero, revealing layers of vulnerability and humanity beneath his hard exterior. This multifaceted portrayal allows readers to connect with Nicholas on a deeper level, even as they grapple with his morally ambiguous actions. Darcy Brayford, on the other hand, is a force to be reckoned with. Her strength, intelligence, and unwavering determination make her a compelling counterpart to Nicholas. Caught in the crossfire of mafia conflicts, Darcy's journey is one of survival and resilience. Frey skillfully portrays her growth from a woman fighting for her life and freedom to someone who finds herself drawn to the very man she once despised. The chemistry between Nicholas and Darcy is electric and undeniable. Their interactions are charged with tension, passion, and a simmering attraction that builds throughout the story. The author masterfully weaves a narrative filled with suspense, dark themes, and steamy romance. The complex characters are well-developed, each carrying their own scars and secrets that slowly unravel as the story progresses.
The plot of "The Casella Ruin" is fast-paced and filled with twists and turns that keep readers engaged. From high-stakes mafia connections to heart-pounding confrontations, the narrative is expertly woven to maintain suspense and intrigue. Frey's writing style is vivid and evocative, painting a gritty and realistic picture of the dark underworld in which Nicholas and Darcy navigate their relationship.
However, readers should be aware that -The Casella Ruin- contains elements typical of dark romance, including scenes of violence and morally ambiguous behavior. These elements are integral to the story and contribute to the authenticity of the characters' experiences, but they may not be suitable for all readers.
In conclusion, The Casella Ruin by C. B. Frey is a riveting and passionate story that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. With its multifaceted characters, gripping plot, and intense romance, it is a must-read for fans of dark mafia romances.
Furthermore, Casella, is a strong-minded and reckless individual, driven by a quest for vengeance against the Brayford family. His life takes an unexpected turn when he cross paths with Brayford, a member of the very family he despises. The initial encounters between the two are charged with animosity and mistrust, setting the stage for a tumultuous relationship that evolves throughout the book.
Nicholas Casella is a character shrouded in mystery and power. As the brother of the head in the Casella’s crime family, he exudes an air of dominance and ruthlessness that both terrifies and fascinates. Frey masterfully crafts Nicholas as a complex anti-hero, revealing layers of vulnerability and humanity beneath his hard exterior. This multifaceted portrayal allows readers to connect with Nicholas on a deeper level, even as they grapple with his morally ambiguous actions. Darcy Brayford, on the other hand, is a force to be reckoned with. Her strength, intelligence, and unwavering determination make her a compelling counterpart to Nicholas. Caught in the crossfire of mafia conflicts, Darcy's journey is one of survival and resilience. Frey skillfully portrays her growth from a woman fighting for her life and freedom to someone who finds herself drawn to the very man she once despised. The chemistry between Nicholas and Darcy is electric and undeniable. Their interactions are charged with tension, passion, and a simmering attraction that builds throughout the story. The author masterfully weaves a narrative filled with suspense, dark themes, and steamy romance. The complex characters are well-developed, each carrying their own scars and secrets that slowly unravel as the story progresses.
The plot of "The Casella Ruin" is fast-paced and filled with twists and turns that keep readers engaged. From high-stakes mafia connections to heart-pounding confrontations, the narrative is expertly woven to maintain suspense and intrigue. Frey's writing style is vivid and evocative, painting a gritty and realistic picture of the dark underworld in which Nicholas and Darcy navigate their relationship.
However, readers should be aware that -The Casella Ruin- contains elements typical of dark romance, including scenes of violence and morally ambiguous behavior. These elements are integral to the story and contribute to the authenticity of the characters' experiences, but they may not be suitable for all readers.
In conclusion, The Casella Ruin by C. B. Frey is a riveting and passionate story that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. With its multifaceted characters, gripping plot, and intense romance, it is a must-read for fans of dark mafia romances.
August 1, 2024
🩸⛓️💥The Casella Ruin⛓️💥🩸
✨️Arc review✨️
Book 2 in The Casella brothers series by @c.b.frey
"At times even the strongest amongs us bear wounds that never fully heal; the pain shadows them troughout their life...until they encounter someone who teaches them that acknowledging the pain is the fist step toward genuine healing."
This was one delicious real enemies to lovers and I just ate it up, so so good! It sucked me right in from the prologue!
If your looking to add a mafia romance to your tbr this is your book. Better yet don't add it to your tbr just read it right now.
Nicolas and Darcy are from enemy mafia families and forced to marry after Nicolas's brother Ezra; destroyed Darcy's familie.
They don’t trust eachother and hate eachother. They try to hold on to that hate eventhough there is a deep attraction between them. Nicolas thinks Darcy is just a spoiled mafia princess that ruins his chance at the one thing he truly wants and that is to love and to be loved
Slowly things start to change between them when Darcy doesn't judge Nicolas's selfdestructive behavior and Nicolas sees that Darcy is not just a brat, but that they have more in common than he ever thought possible. They start to love and trust eachother. But with the secret one of them holds on to, lives are on the line and, everything can change and their whole world can be destroyed.
This couple had me feeling all kinds of emotions and I was on the edge of my seat till the end.
I fell hard for our bad boy with the romantic heart and I'm completly obsessed with him! And that nickname (swoon)! I'll be known as fenice from now on thank you!
The characters were really well written and I even liked Ezra more in this book. I loved the suspence, the tension, the action, the banter and the secrets. The slow burn is really well done and when it got to the spice, it was really spicing in the best way.
And even the playlist is amazing! Ya'll know by now how much I love and value book playlists, I mean it's even mentioned in my 20 obsessions 😅 The playlist fits Nico and Darcy perfectly and will have you all up in your feels!
Run don't walk if you're looking for:
🩸Dark mafia romance
⛓️💥Forced marriage
🩸Broken boy X broken girl
⛓️💥Touch her and 💀
🩸Secrets
⛓️💥Revenge
🩸Action
⛓️💥Suspence
🩸Enemies to lovers
⛓️💥Bad boy with a soft heart
🩸Betrayal
I can't wait for book 3!
✨️Arc review✨️
Book 2 in The Casella brothers series by @c.b.frey
"At times even the strongest amongs us bear wounds that never fully heal; the pain shadows them troughout their life...until they encounter someone who teaches them that acknowledging the pain is the fist step toward genuine healing."
This was one delicious real enemies to lovers and I just ate it up, so so good! It sucked me right in from the prologue!
If your looking to add a mafia romance to your tbr this is your book. Better yet don't add it to your tbr just read it right now.
Nicolas and Darcy are from enemy mafia families and forced to marry after Nicolas's brother Ezra; destroyed Darcy's familie.
They don’t trust eachother and hate eachother. They try to hold on to that hate eventhough there is a deep attraction between them. Nicolas thinks Darcy is just a spoiled mafia princess that ruins his chance at the one thing he truly wants and that is to love and to be loved
Slowly things start to change between them when Darcy doesn't judge Nicolas's selfdestructive behavior and Nicolas sees that Darcy is not just a brat, but that they have more in common than he ever thought possible. They start to love and trust eachother. But with the secret one of them holds on to, lives are on the line and, everything can change and their whole world can be destroyed.
This couple had me feeling all kinds of emotions and I was on the edge of my seat till the end.
I fell hard for our bad boy with the romantic heart and I'm completly obsessed with him! And that nickname (swoon)! I'll be known as fenice from now on thank you!
The characters were really well written and I even liked Ezra more in this book. I loved the suspence, the tension, the action, the banter and the secrets. The slow burn is really well done and when it got to the spice, it was really spicing in the best way.
And even the playlist is amazing! Ya'll know by now how much I love and value book playlists, I mean it's even mentioned in my 20 obsessions 😅 The playlist fits Nico and Darcy perfectly and will have you all up in your feels!
Run don't walk if you're looking for:
🩸Dark mafia romance
⛓️💥Forced marriage
🩸Broken boy X broken girl
⛓️💥Touch her and 💀
🩸Secrets
⛓️💥Revenge
🩸Action
⛓️💥Suspence
🩸Enemies to lovers
⛓️💥Bad boy with a soft heart
🩸Betrayal
I can't wait for book 3!
August 27, 2024
This was such an emotional rollercoaster. The ups and downs between the couple, the emotional connection with the dark themes were mixed together really well. I really enjoyed the continuation from book one and watching how the characters kind of navigated their forced marriage. Their pairing was very chaotic and I loved that they stayed enemies for so long like this is the ultimate enemies to lovers cause the banter between them just doesn’t stop. I think the mafia plot line was done awesome as well, the dynamics is captured really well, it’s giving like sons of anarchy vibes with all the alliances and different families and the fighting and all that. The only gripe I had with this one is the same I had for book one although it’s not as bad as book ones and that is the anal scenes. Now it has definitely improved and I understand that this is fiction and all that but if you’re wanting to write a scene make it believable. When it comes to anal scenes, lube is needed 100% and as I said this one is better than book one cause there is something used which is better than none. However, even using her personal lubrication won’t be sufficient enough for it to be completely enjoyable for the fmc. It’s better than nothing as I said but it still just irks me, especially when going back and forth between the front and back, big no… screams uti 😅 Other than that the spice was fantastic ! Had a great lead up to it, it was spicy, it was dark. Really played on the enemies to lovers level of hotness. It’s at a 4.5/5 cause it’s really frequent but it does take a sec into the book before they get to it. Overall, I loved this book like I loved book one. I loved revisiting the characters and seeing them again. I enjoyed the plot and the chemistry. I loved how dark and spicy it was along with how utterly emotional this one was too which differed a bit from book one but I loved how it worked. Overall, I’m saying it a 4.5/5, it almost perfect for me but as I’m finding apparently I have a bit of a pet peeve 😂 I would definitely recommend this to someone who enjoys dark romance.
August 4, 2024
“ You and I have something in common. We live through similar emotions everyday, but one of us tries to bury them. Pain is there to be felt Nicholas. “
Nicholas & Darcy
Gosh where do I start. If you read The Casella King (Which I recommend you do before even jumping in to this one) you’ve already met Nicholas and his issues.
I knew this story was going to be intense, but even the warnings I got before jumping in couldn’t have prepared me for this. Nicholas is the definition of a broken man, a man longing for the one thing that’s hard to find inside the mafia world: “LOVE”.
And with his arranged marriage to Darcy he’s certain that even the tiniest chance of it has disappeared for good. He’s self destructive, alcohol and drug abuse filling his days. It hurts me to see him like that, seeing him battle with his demons and the voices inside his head. So be aware of that trigger. You can’t read about him and not feel like you want more for him, knowing deep down that this life never was for him.
This story surely has a lot of triggers of alcohol and drug abuse, abuse, trauma, suicide, dark thoughts and heartwrenching hurt.
This story has all the mafia elements you need, continuation of the storyline we started in the first book, is all about going through the pain, fighting for yourself and the ones you love, secrets that come to light and shake up everything, family, betrayal, mending what’s broken, protectiveness, all consuming love, smutty and steamy scenes and heartbreak, loss and intense pain.
I’ve cried multiple times for Nicholas, for Darcy, for the things they had to endure and what it cost them. As well as the way they see themselves.
If you don’t love the “I can fix him” trope, don’t read this. For everyone who does buckle up cause these dark, taunted and hurt souls need a lot of fixing before there will be any light.
I love this story to my core. It made me cry, swoon, fueled me with anger and rage, startled me, surprised me and left me with a huge book hangover. I just don’t want to say goodbye to these two. If one thing this book shows is that even the darkest, most traumatized and hurt people are able to find love and peace and a happy end.
Nicholas & Darcy
Gosh where do I start. If you read The Casella King (Which I recommend you do before even jumping in to this one) you’ve already met Nicholas and his issues.
I knew this story was going to be intense, but even the warnings I got before jumping in couldn’t have prepared me for this. Nicholas is the definition of a broken man, a man longing for the one thing that’s hard to find inside the mafia world: “LOVE”.
And with his arranged marriage to Darcy he’s certain that even the tiniest chance of it has disappeared for good. He’s self destructive, alcohol and drug abuse filling his days. It hurts me to see him like that, seeing him battle with his demons and the voices inside his head. So be aware of that trigger. You can’t read about him and not feel like you want more for him, knowing deep down that this life never was for him.
This story surely has a lot of triggers of alcohol and drug abuse, abuse, trauma, suicide, dark thoughts and heartwrenching hurt.
This story has all the mafia elements you need, continuation of the storyline we started in the first book, is all about going through the pain, fighting for yourself and the ones you love, secrets that come to light and shake up everything, family, betrayal, mending what’s broken, protectiveness, all consuming love, smutty and steamy scenes and heartbreak, loss and intense pain.
I’ve cried multiple times for Nicholas, for Darcy, for the things they had to endure and what it cost them. As well as the way they see themselves.
If you don’t love the “I can fix him” trope, don’t read this. For everyone who does buckle up cause these dark, taunted and hurt souls need a lot of fixing before there will be any light.
I love this story to my core. It made me cry, swoon, fueled me with anger and rage, startled me, surprised me and left me with a huge book hangover. I just don’t want to say goodbye to these two. If one thing this book shows is that even the darkest, most traumatized and hurt people are able to find love and peace and a happy end.
August 2, 2024
Um ok wow, who doesn't love when one broken soul falls for another broken soul. The chemistry build up between these two is all broken hearts, trauma, secrets, heartbreak and so much dirtiness.
The amount of detail that went into Nicos addiction, the pain, the flash backs, the trauma it Waa all so real, it felt like I was going through his pain with him, my heart ached so freaking much for him.
The details Included in the background information of each of the mafia family made it so easy to follow to storyline, I felt like I was fighting along side the casellas!
I will admit part 1 tears your fucking heart out! Like I cried, I messaged ceylan straight away and told her how could she do this to my heart. But as the story read on I was just itching for what I wanted most. And boy did she deliver. I can't say much without giving spoilers away but let's say Oliver you are no match for our broken boy Nicholas.
But the ending to part 2 will have you sobbing only because the person who dies and the way they all react is just fucking heart shattering.
I hope to read more! For a mafia Romance book this is another killer!
I love Ezra & Nicholas I can't choose between which book I liked more.
Broken boy Nicholas stole my heart by all the trauma he had to live with but I think Erza was my first love ❤️
Please Ceylan write more!!!!!!!
Also if you haven't already!!!
Ceylan will be at DARK Delights in Brisbane next year! Book event for dark romance authors and I am so freaking excited to see her in person, I'm hoping another book will be released before September 2025
The amount of detail that went into Nicos addiction, the pain, the flash backs, the trauma it Waa all so real, it felt like I was going through his pain with him, my heart ached so freaking much for him.
The details Included in the background information of each of the mafia family made it so easy to follow to storyline, I felt like I was fighting along side the casellas!
I will admit part 1 tears your fucking heart out! Like I cried, I messaged ceylan straight away and told her how could she do this to my heart. But as the story read on I was just itching for what I wanted most. And boy did she deliver. I can't say much without giving spoilers away but let's say Oliver you are no match for our broken boy Nicholas.
But the ending to part 2 will have you sobbing only because the person who dies and the way they all react is just fucking heart shattering.
I hope to read more! For a mafia Romance book this is another killer!
I love Ezra & Nicholas I can't choose between which book I liked more.
Broken boy Nicholas stole my heart by all the trauma he had to live with but I think Erza was my first love ❤️
Please Ceylan write more!!!!!!!
Also if you haven't already!!!
Ceylan will be at DARK Delights in Brisbane next year! Book event for dark romance authors and I am so freaking excited to see her in person, I'm hoping another book will be released before September 2025
July 20, 2024
"𝐼 𝑡𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑖𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑒, 𝐼 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑘𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑦𝑜𝑢." 𝐻𝑖𝑠 𝑣𝑜𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑠 ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑑𝑔𝑒 𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑙 𝐼'𝑚 𝑔𝑟𝑖𝑝𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑚 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑡.
NICHOLAS 🥹 that's it.
Not really, haha but I thought I loved Ezra from the first book in the series but this book just hit on a whole other level.
⚠️ triggers warnings for this book so please read them beforehand ⚠️
Darcy and Nic were venomous in the beginning... To the point I actually thought Nic was going to seriously hurt Darcy and she was going to do nasty things to him in his sleep.
The way C.B Frey writes about Nic's substance abuse, to take away the unrelenting trauma, was so sad but also helps us really get to know the demons that plagued Nic day in and day out just to stay numb.
Poor Darcy, just wants to be free from a world where she felt she never belonged, and to escape the monstrous family that destroyed so many opportunities for her, yet she always had this spark and glimmers of hope for a future.
"𝑌𝑜𝑢'𝑙𝑙 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑛 𝑜𝑐𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑡, 𝑓𝑒𝑛𝑖𝑐𝑒."
The roles and brother dynamic became very clear in this book... (My opinion) One thrives off the power, and one is just trying to survive it.
The end of part one had me crying... That hasn't happened in a book for a while and I'm not going to say why because you just have to experience it for yourself.
I cannot wait for this one to come out into the world for everyone 🖤💜
NICHOLAS 🥹 that's it.
Not really, haha but I thought I loved Ezra from the first book in the series but this book just hit on a whole other level.
⚠️ triggers warnings for this book so please read them beforehand ⚠️
Darcy and Nic were venomous in the beginning... To the point I actually thought Nic was going to seriously hurt Darcy and she was going to do nasty things to him in his sleep.
The way C.B Frey writes about Nic's substance abuse, to take away the unrelenting trauma, was so sad but also helps us really get to know the demons that plagued Nic day in and day out just to stay numb.
Poor Darcy, just wants to be free from a world where she felt she never belonged, and to escape the monstrous family that destroyed so many opportunities for her, yet she always had this spark and glimmers of hope for a future.
"𝑌𝑜𝑢'𝑙𝑙 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑛 𝑜𝑐𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑡, 𝑓𝑒𝑛𝑖𝑐𝑒."
The roles and brother dynamic became very clear in this book... (My opinion) One thrives off the power, and one is just trying to survive it.
The end of part one had me crying... That hasn't happened in a book for a while and I'm not going to say why because you just have to experience it for yourself.
I cannot wait for this one to come out into the world for everyone 🖤💜
July 29, 2024
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶 1/2 out of 5
Tropes:
🖤Mafia
💍Arranged Marriage
💘Enemies to Lovers
😱Suspense
😡Betrayal
💀Touch Her and D1e
🫦Kinky S3x
Review:
A family Mafia story with suspense, action and secrets that will keep you very glued to your book/reader!
We have secrets coming to light between several warring Mafia families, secrets of birthright that the last of one of those bloodlines, Darcy only knows the truths to. She is put into an arranged marriage with the more unhinged brother of the Cassella family, Nicholas.
They are enemies and truly at odds but a love-hate relationship (and s3x) follows that is quite fiery to watch! The brothers and inner circle friends of Nico's are very well defined and characterized, making the world rich and full. I particularly loved the first half and seeing how these two got to scratch beneath their wounded surfaces.
Nico in particular was just a rush to watch! I love me wounded men with demons and boy, did Nico have them. At times painfully self destructive but so raw and real. I loved seeing those cracks of humanity in him bleed put and how Darcy could lick those wounds (sometimes literally!).
They are certainly a more adventurously spicy couple! This is overall an exciting, gripping mafia romance, with spurts of action set pieces (would've even loved the final action set piece a bit elongated!) and lots of spice.
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶 1/2 out of 5
Tropes:
🖤Mafia
💍Arranged Marriage
💘Enemies to Lovers
😱Suspense
😡Betrayal
💀Touch Her and D1e
🫦Kinky S3x
Review:
A family Mafia story with suspense, action and secrets that will keep you very glued to your book/reader!
We have secrets coming to light between several warring Mafia families, secrets of birthright that the last of one of those bloodlines, Darcy only knows the truths to. She is put into an arranged marriage with the more unhinged brother of the Cassella family, Nicholas.
They are enemies and truly at odds but a love-hate relationship (and s3x) follows that is quite fiery to watch! The brothers and inner circle friends of Nico's are very well defined and characterized, making the world rich and full. I particularly loved the first half and seeing how these two got to scratch beneath their wounded surfaces.
Nico in particular was just a rush to watch! I love me wounded men with demons and boy, did Nico have them. At times painfully self destructive but so raw and real. I loved seeing those cracks of humanity in him bleed put and how Darcy could lick those wounds (sometimes literally!).
They are certainly a more adventurously spicy couple! This is overall an exciting, gripping mafia romance, with spurts of action set pieces (would've even loved the final action set piece a bit elongated!) and lots of spice.
July 29, 2024
4/5⭐️ 4/5 🌶️
Guys…. I didn’t think I would like a Casella brother more than Ezra but I think Nico takes the lead after this book 🥵
I do recommend reading Casella King first as this one starts right off after the first book ends.
Now let’s get to the good stuff… if you’re into TRUE enemies to lovers, mafia, and forced marriage you’re going to love this book. I feel like C B Frey always has the BEST pacing, nothing feels like it’s stretched too long, you don’t have to wait till past 50% to get to the spice and the mouth on this MMC is just perfect. The way this man falls so completely for Darcy had me swooning, and don’t get me started on the nickname 😭
“I want you to look at me when I come inside you…I want you to see just how fucking deranged you make me feel.”
“I thought I could do this—to hurt you and leave you with your broken pieces—but I can’t because they fit too perfectly with mine.”
“I give you every single fucking part of me. The light, the dark, the wrong, and the right. You can take it all, fenice, because without you, I roam the streets like a soul damned in limbo, desperately searching for its other half.”
Please check trigger warning as this book is HEAVY with substance abuse.
Thank you CB Frey for the opportunity to ARC read The Casella Ruin, I cannot wait to see what you do with book 3 🖤
Guys…. I didn’t think I would like a Casella brother more than Ezra but I think Nico takes the lead after this book 🥵
I do recommend reading Casella King first as this one starts right off after the first book ends.
Now let’s get to the good stuff… if you’re into TRUE enemies to lovers, mafia, and forced marriage you’re going to love this book. I feel like C B Frey always has the BEST pacing, nothing feels like it’s stretched too long, you don’t have to wait till past 50% to get to the spice and the mouth on this MMC is just perfect. The way this man falls so completely for Darcy had me swooning, and don’t get me started on the nickname 😭
“I want you to look at me when I come inside you…I want you to see just how fucking deranged you make me feel.”
“I thought I could do this—to hurt you and leave you with your broken pieces—but I can’t because they fit too perfectly with mine.”
“I give you every single fucking part of me. The light, the dark, the wrong, and the right. You can take it all, fenice, because without you, I roam the streets like a soul damned in limbo, desperately searching for its other half.”
Please check trigger warning as this book is HEAVY with substance abuse.
Thank you CB Frey for the opportunity to ARC read The Casella Ruin, I cannot wait to see what you do with book 3 🖤
January 16, 2026
📚
The Casella Ruin
: ⭐️⭐️⭐️,5
#2
Darcy & Nicholas 🩶
-✨ Tropes : enemies to lovers / enemies / death / attack / betrayal
Beaucoup d'émotions
Sujet de l'addiction
Dommage que l'on ne voit pas plus que ça le couple du livre précédent
Beaucoup de secrets
- Spicy : 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
- Quotes 💭 :
"the never-ending lies and secrets that surface anytime things would go remotely right."
"I hate it. I hate everything about her. The way she speaks, the way she eats, the way she fucking breathes. She’s an embodiment of the hatred that’s plagued our families for generations, and she wears it with pride."
I will never let her go, not ever. She has to know this by now. She has to know that she is with me, and I will see to it that it remains this way."
(Ps : Ce n’est qu’un simple avis personnel ! Mes review sont destinés plutôt pour moi-même que pour les autres, c’est pour ça que c’est écrit de façon random mais si ça peut vous donner envie de lire le livre lets gooo 🫣 et ptit mix français-anglais parce que WHY NOT )
#2
Darcy & Nicholas 🩶
-✨ Tropes : enemies to lovers / enemies / death / attack / betrayal
Beaucoup d'émotions
Sujet de l'addiction
Dommage que l'on ne voit pas plus que ça le couple du livre précédent
Beaucoup de secrets
- Spicy : 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
- Quotes 💭 :
"the never-ending lies and secrets that surface anytime things would go remotely right."
"I hate it. I hate everything about her. The way she speaks, the way she eats, the way she fucking breathes. She’s an embodiment of the hatred that’s plagued our families for generations, and she wears it with pride."
I will never let her go, not ever. She has to know this by now. She has to know that she is with me, and I will see to it that it remains this way."
(Ps : Ce n’est qu’un simple avis personnel ! Mes review sont destinés plutôt pour moi-même que pour les autres, c’est pour ça que c’est écrit de façon random mais si ça peut vous donner envie de lire le livre lets gooo 🫣 et ptit mix français-anglais parce que WHY NOT )
July 20, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶
THE CASELLA RUIN
By C.B. FREY
🖤 Enemies to lovers
🖤Touch her and 💀
🖤Mafia dark romance
🖤 Hand Necklaces
🖤 Sassy FMC
And so many more read the full trigger warning list on C.B. FREYs website 😍
First let me just say 🤤 what a read!
This book follows on from The Casella King but can be read as a stand alone (but I do strongly recommend reading the first 😉 you won't be disappointed 🤤) and follows the princes story (Nicolas or Nico as he is called a lot of the time the MMC) he is the tormented bad boy that does whatever he can to numb his feelings and thoughts, and to make it worse he is forced to marry the life long enemies daughter!
Which leads me to Darcy the kick ass FMC, the enemies daughter, forced into a marriage she also wants zero part in, she also has her past haunting her but instead of numbing it out she chooses to face her ghosts.
Will their marriage survive both of their ghosts and secrets? Will it survive their hate for each other 😉
I guess you will just have to wait and read this roller-coaster of a book when it's released on the 31st of this month 😍
Available for pre-order for kindle on Amazon
Also available for pre-order on C.B. FREYs website as well 🖤🖤🖤
🌶🌶🌶🌶
THE CASELLA RUIN
By C.B. FREY
🖤 Enemies to lovers
🖤Touch her and 💀
🖤Mafia dark romance
🖤 Hand Necklaces
🖤 Sassy FMC
And so many more read the full trigger warning list on C.B. FREYs website 😍
First let me just say 🤤 what a read!
This book follows on from The Casella King but can be read as a stand alone (but I do strongly recommend reading the first 😉 you won't be disappointed 🤤) and follows the princes story (Nicolas or Nico as he is called a lot of the time the MMC) he is the tormented bad boy that does whatever he can to numb his feelings and thoughts, and to make it worse he is forced to marry the life long enemies daughter!
Which leads me to Darcy the kick ass FMC, the enemies daughter, forced into a marriage she also wants zero part in, she also has her past haunting her but instead of numbing it out she chooses to face her ghosts.
Will their marriage survive both of their ghosts and secrets? Will it survive their hate for each other 😉
I guess you will just have to wait and read this roller-coaster of a book when it's released on the 31st of this month 😍
Available for pre-order for kindle on Amazon
Also available for pre-order on C.B. FREYs website as well 🖤🖤🖤
July 29, 2024
Absolutely phenomenal!
“I vow to make it my personal goal in life to make yours a living hell. Until death do us part.”
Dark Mafia romance, True Enemies to Lovers, Forced Marriage, Revenge and Betrayal.
This one is spiccyyyy
Darcy is from a rival mafia family (the only one left after they were all 🔪) and is taken by the Casellas. Much to Nicholas Casellas disgust, he is arranged to marry her.
Darcy and Nico absolutely hate each others guts, so this really is a true enemies to lovers story.
Darcy enters the marriage with a string of secrets that she would die over, rather than hand them the Casellas. When tension hits an all time high, it all starts to unravel and betrayal takes over.
The way this story unfolds is spectacular, and the level of writing compared to the first book, is just 🤌🏼
I freakin love Ezra.
"So when the nights get dark, who do you pray to, boy?"
I watch as Ezra walks in between us, right up to the man in the black suit.
"Me." He leers at the man.
The plot is just phenomenal and I’m excited to see what unfolds in the next book.
If you want a hot af, spicy mafia romance, this is it 🤭
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
*substance addiction is an on page topic throughout*
“I vow to make it my personal goal in life to make yours a living hell. Until death do us part.”
Dark Mafia romance, True Enemies to Lovers, Forced Marriage, Revenge and Betrayal.
This one is spiccyyyy
Darcy is from a rival mafia family (the only one left after they were all 🔪) and is taken by the Casellas. Much to Nicholas Casellas disgust, he is arranged to marry her.
Darcy and Nico absolutely hate each others guts, so this really is a true enemies to lovers story.
Darcy enters the marriage with a string of secrets that she would die over, rather than hand them the Casellas. When tension hits an all time high, it all starts to unravel and betrayal takes over.
The way this story unfolds is spectacular, and the level of writing compared to the first book, is just 🤌🏼
I freakin love Ezra.
"So when the nights get dark, who do you pray to, boy?"
I watch as Ezra walks in between us, right up to the man in the black suit.
"Me." He leers at the man.
The plot is just phenomenal and I’m excited to see what unfolds in the next book.
If you want a hot af, spicy mafia romance, this is it 🤭
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
*substance addiction is an on page topic throughout*
July 31, 2024
"In another life, we could have been happy"
The book begins with a wedding. A wedding neither the bride or groom want. Darcy Brayford and Nicholas Casella are forced to marry to be pawns in the mafia world they grew up. While the book follows the typical troupe, they hate each other then start falling for each other, Frey has made it interesting and exciting. The book makes sense why Nicholas and Darcy start to fall for one another. They are both deeply injured from the mafia world and find solace in each other. The story surrounding their marriage is fast paced and keeps the reader intrigued. Frey builds the underground mafia world masterfully. Many times, the suspense is so great, I wasn't sure anyone was getting out alive.
This is a DARK romance. The sexual scenes are intense but the intensity makes complete sense. They are releasing their trauma in each other and allowing each other to feel pain. I appreciate the way the author wrote the scenes not just for sex sake but as a way to build the characters.
Overall, this is the best dark romance I've read so far. A definite read for those who enjoy this genre.
4/5 stars
*I received an ARC and was not compensated for this review.
The book begins with a wedding. A wedding neither the bride or groom want. Darcy Brayford and Nicholas Casella are forced to marry to be pawns in the mafia world they grew up. While the book follows the typical troupe, they hate each other then start falling for each other, Frey has made it interesting and exciting. The book makes sense why Nicholas and Darcy start to fall for one another. They are both deeply injured from the mafia world and find solace in each other. The story surrounding their marriage is fast paced and keeps the reader intrigued. Frey builds the underground mafia world masterfully. Many times, the suspense is so great, I wasn't sure anyone was getting out alive.
This is a DARK romance. The sexual scenes are intense but the intensity makes complete sense. They are releasing their trauma in each other and allowing each other to feel pain. I appreciate the way the author wrote the scenes not just for sex sake but as a way to build the characters.
Overall, this is the best dark romance I've read so far. A definite read for those who enjoy this genre.
4/5 stars
*I received an ARC and was not compensated for this review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
ENEMIES TO LOVERS
FORCED MARRIAGE
REVENGE
BETRAYAL
MAFIA
FOUNDING FAMILY
TOUCH HER AND D!E
This is the second book in the Casella Brothers Series, I’d totally read “The Casella King” first to meet and drool over Ezra and Aries.
The emotional rollercoaster I had with Nicholas and Darcy book was insane. I was hurting, heart was breaking then I was turning into a slip and slide.
We have Nico, baby brother to Ezra. He is forced to marry the enemy for his family. Everything is always for the family. Even when his battling his owns demons, traumas and pain. It’s always about the family. All he has known is hatred towards Darcy and her family. Marriage between them is a wild ride.
Darcy, last living member of her family. She is also the one who holds the deepest secrets that everyone is searching for. She just wants her freedom, but now tied to Nico freedom isn’t in the cards. Darcy has her owns scars and demons but she will fight till the every end even if it means her end.
It’s a secret that could change everything between the founding families.
July 27, 2024
What a book!!! Nicholas and Darcy were outstanding !! They were brave, they were strong, and they were broken due to their pasts!! But their love for one other mended them so beautifully!! Their love for each other was evident and as a reader , I loved each and every chapter of this book.. it was so so good..
“I would lose all of me to you if it meant you’d truly be mine.”
Nicholas proved his love for Darcy and likewise Darcy showed it through her actions!! And I loved them both so much!! Nicholas gave her everything that she wanted!! If that's not love, I don't know what is!!!
The chapter where she does what she does, I was shook!! And then what followed was intense and I loved every bit of it. Nicholas had told her he will never leave her and that promise he kept!!
Ezra and Rafael were superb.. their love and care towards Nicholas and Darcy was so soulful and felt so real.. like its happening in real life...
And Asher!!! I loved him!!! Why did u do that, dear author???
Now can't wait to read Rafael's book!!!
Give it to me ASAP!!!
“I would lose all of me to you if it meant you’d truly be mine.”
Nicholas proved his love for Darcy and likewise Darcy showed it through her actions!! And I loved them both so much!! Nicholas gave her everything that she wanted!! If that's not love, I don't know what is!!!
The chapter where she does what she does, I was shook!! And then what followed was intense and I loved every bit of it. Nicholas had told her he will never leave her and that promise he kept!!
Ezra and Rafael were superb.. their love and care towards Nicholas and Darcy was so soulful and felt so real.. like its happening in real life...
And Asher!!! I loved him!!! Why did u do that, dear author???
Now can't wait to read Rafael's book!!!
Give it to me ASAP!!!
July 28, 2024
❤️🔥 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 ❤️🔥
The Casella Ruin by C.B. Frey
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
✅ Dark Mafia Romance
✅ Enemies to Lovers
✅ Forced Marriage
✅ Forced Proximity
✅ Mental Health Rep
✅ Touch Her and 💀
✅ Lies and Betrayal
TW: Drug Addiction, Abusive Parent, Suicide, Death of a Parent, Depression, Murder, Violence, Overdose, Kidnapping, Torture.
K!nks: Pierced Cøčķ, Hand Necklaces, Outdoor S3x, Spanking, Rough S3x, Praise, Degradation, Pain Play, Kn!fe Play, Blōōd Play, A** Play, Toys, Forced Org@sms, C*m Play, Bondage, BD$M, Bratting.
OMG! This book! I’ve loved all of C.B. Frey’s books, but there is something about Nicholas and Darcy’s story that sets it apart! The depth of the characters and their connection with one another is incredible! I loved every single suspenseful, dirty second of this book! The truths that are revealed, I didn’t see coming! This is an amazing dark mafia romance and I highly recommend it!
Thank you, C.B. Frey, for an ARC of this book! My review is mine and freely given!
The Casella Ruin by C.B. Frey
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
✅ Dark Mafia Romance
✅ Enemies to Lovers
✅ Forced Marriage
✅ Forced Proximity
✅ Mental Health Rep
✅ Touch Her and 💀
✅ Lies and Betrayal
TW: Drug Addiction, Abusive Parent, Suicide, Death of a Parent, Depression, Murder, Violence, Overdose, Kidnapping, Torture.
K!nks: Pierced Cøčķ, Hand Necklaces, Outdoor S3x, Spanking, Rough S3x, Praise, Degradation, Pain Play, Kn!fe Play, Blōōd Play, A** Play, Toys, Forced Org@sms, C*m Play, Bondage, BD$M, Bratting.
OMG! This book! I’ve loved all of C.B. Frey’s books, but there is something about Nicholas and Darcy’s story that sets it apart! The depth of the characters and their connection with one another is incredible! I loved every single suspenseful, dirty second of this book! The truths that are revealed, I didn’t see coming! This is an amazing dark mafia romance and I highly recommend it!
Thank you, C.B. Frey, for an ARC of this book! My review is mine and freely given!
August 7, 2024
Mr Nicholas F**king Casella has entered the ring ladies and gentlemen! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
This man, this f**king beautiful man, is beyond perfection, he is otherworldly. The way he loves is unapologetically and with his entire being. No he is not without faults, but damn they sure do make him into an absolute God when used correctly!
Darcey was an absolute badass! She owned her sh!t and was a weapon at holding her own. I loved the way she looked like she was completely distant from Nicholas’ POV then when you go into hers you see the love building from the very start!
The connection between Nicholas and Darcy felt real!! The heartbreak made you feel like you were in it! The love these two have towards each other is just beautiful, and the spice holy shit that was amazing!! The ‘hate’ smexx was just something else 😮💨🌶️
This book was written absolutely perfectly, it held you captivated from the start to the end, Nicholas and Darcey would have to be easily one of my favourite book couples so far! 🖤
This man, this f**king beautiful man, is beyond perfection, he is otherworldly. The way he loves is unapologetically and with his entire being. No he is not without faults, but damn they sure do make him into an absolute God when used correctly!
Darcey was an absolute badass! She owned her sh!t and was a weapon at holding her own. I loved the way she looked like she was completely distant from Nicholas’ POV then when you go into hers you see the love building from the very start!
The connection between Nicholas and Darcy felt real!! The heartbreak made you feel like you were in it! The love these two have towards each other is just beautiful, and the spice holy shit that was amazing!! The ‘hate’ smexx was just something else 😮💨🌶️
This book was written absolutely perfectly, it held you captivated from the start to the end, Nicholas and Darcey would have to be easily one of my favourite book couples so far! 🖤
May 25, 2025
Damn.
Just…damn.
“𝑰 𝒗𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒎𝒚 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒈𝒐𝒂𝒍 𝒊𝒏 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔 𝒂 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒍. 𝑼𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒍 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝒅𝒐 𝒖𝒔 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕.”
This book had me in a chokehold. The writing was almost poetic with its prose, darkened with themes no other should experience and yet it all fit right in this world.
Nico is the younger brother of Ezra who we see in Book 1, but boy is he darker. Fuelled from a horrific and abusive past from someone who should be a protector, he numbs his pain the only way he knows how.
Forced to marry their enemy to keep her safe, he endures it because it’s his duty but he has no plans to make her experience enjoyable…
“𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝑰 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇**𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒂 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏."
The twists in this book were stellar. The chemistry between Nico and Darcy was off the charts, even through the words, you could feel it which is a testament to C.B.’s writing.
“𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒆.”
The spice is electric. I could not put this book down. I read it in one sitting.
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Spice: 5 🌶️
Just…damn.
“𝑰 𝒗𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒎𝒚 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒈𝒐𝒂𝒍 𝒊𝒏 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔 𝒂 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒍. 𝑼𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒍 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝒅𝒐 𝒖𝒔 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕.”
This book had me in a chokehold. The writing was almost poetic with its prose, darkened with themes no other should experience and yet it all fit right in this world.
Nico is the younger brother of Ezra who we see in Book 1, but boy is he darker. Fuelled from a horrific and abusive past from someone who should be a protector, he numbs his pain the only way he knows how.
Forced to marry their enemy to keep her safe, he endures it because it’s his duty but he has no plans to make her experience enjoyable…
“𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝑰 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇**𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒂 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏."
The twists in this book were stellar. The chemistry between Nico and Darcy was off the charts, even through the words, you could feel it which is a testament to C.B.’s writing.
“𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒆.”
The spice is electric. I could not put this book down. I read it in one sitting.
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Spice: 5 🌶️
July 24, 2024
"I give you every single fucking part of me. The light, the dark, the wrong, and the right. You can take it all, fenice, because without you I roam the streets like a soul damned in limbo, desperately searching for its other half"
Storyline: 9/10
Spice: 5/5
Nicholas. Nicholas. Nicholas…Did C.B Frey pull you straight from my dreams? What witchy voodoo did this author use to pull the man and storyline I always needed deep from within my subconscious?
This story was everything I could have hoped it would be from the blurb. The perfect amount of sizzling smut, harmonious hatred, and murder mayhem, it scratched the itch in my brain that I wished it would. The perfection of Dark Romance exists in this book, and I would erase it from my mind in a second just to feel Nicholas and Darcy fall in love for the first time again.
I will now sit here, impatiently waiting for book 3, never recovering from the beauty of this book.
Storyline: 9/10
Spice: 5/5
Nicholas. Nicholas. Nicholas…Did C.B Frey pull you straight from my dreams? What witchy voodoo did this author use to pull the man and storyline I always needed deep from within my subconscious?
This story was everything I could have hoped it would be from the blurb. The perfect amount of sizzling smut, harmonious hatred, and murder mayhem, it scratched the itch in my brain that I wished it would. The perfection of Dark Romance exists in this book, and I would erase it from my mind in a second just to feel Nicholas and Darcy fall in love for the first time again.
I will now sit here, impatiently waiting for book 3, never recovering from the beauty of this book.
August 3, 2024
It really says something about a book when the dedication makes me not put the book down.
To all who love a broke bad boy who is a Holmes’s romantic at heart, Let me introduce you to Mr. Nicholas Casella….
The emotional rollercoaster that this book will take you on is real so buckle up and enjoy the ride.
I fell in love with both Darcy and Nicholas in the end of book 1.
This was one delicious real enemies to lovers ☠️🖤
It sucked me right in from the dedication!
If you’re looking to add a mafia romance to your this is your book. Better yet don't add it to your tor just read it right now. 📚
And can we just take a moment to appreciate the playlist!?
Run don't walk if you're looking for:
🩸 Dark mafia romance
⛓️💥 Forced marriage
🩸 Broken boy X broken girl
⛓️💥 Touch her and ☠️
🩸 Secrets
⛓️💥 Revenge
🩸 Action
⛓️💥 Suspence
🩸 Enemies to lovers
⛓️💥 Bad boy with a soft heart
🩸 Betrayal
I can't wait for book 3!
To all who love a broke bad boy who is a Holmes’s romantic at heart, Let me introduce you to Mr. Nicholas Casella….
The emotional rollercoaster that this book will take you on is real so buckle up and enjoy the ride.
I fell in love with both Darcy and Nicholas in the end of book 1.
This was one delicious real enemies to lovers ☠️🖤
It sucked me right in from the dedication!
If you’re looking to add a mafia romance to your this is your book. Better yet don't add it to your tor just read it right now. 📚
And can we just take a moment to appreciate the playlist!?
Run don't walk if you're looking for:
🩸 Dark mafia romance
⛓️💥 Forced marriage
🩸 Broken boy X broken girl
⛓️💥 Touch her and ☠️
🩸 Secrets
⛓️💥 Revenge
🩸 Action
⛓️💥 Suspence
🩸 Enemies to lovers
⛓️💥 Bad boy with a soft heart
🩸 Betrayal
I can't wait for book 3!
August 13, 2024
I have been blessed to be part of C.B Freys street team for her Casella novels - both The Casella King & The Casella Ruin…and book 2 - The Casella Ruin - boy did it wreck me in the best way.
Having read The Casella King - Book 1, I was already fascinated with both Darcy & Nicholas’ individually as stand-alone characters. I felt drawn to their darkness, secrets & pain and wanted to know more about their trauma, their thoughts, what drives them and reading book 2 answered all of that and more!
Starting the book with an arranged marriage setting, watching a couple go from enemies to soulmates & the desperately heartbreaking revelations I had while getting to know these characters on a deeper level are all reasons why I say yes Yes YES you should ABSOLUTELY read this work of art!
Be forewarned though, this one has some twists and turns that you will NOT see coming, but I promise that they are all worth the journey for Nicholas & Darcy to find their happy endings 🖤
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